Residents and visitors in Northumberland are being urged to avoid campfires and barbecues this weekend, with the risk of wildfires extremely high following a prolonged spell of dry weather.
Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service has said it is doing everything in its power to prevent wildfires from happening, but added that many outdoor blazes start from the likes of campfires.
The service has said tackling wildfires diverts resources, which can ultimately "cost lives".
The advice from NFRS states: "If you see a fire while outdoors, call 999 and ask for the fire service. The sooner the fire service know about a wildfire, the easier it is to put it out, and the safer it is for everyone involved."
Northumberland's chief fire officer, Paul Hedley, is also the national lead on wildfires. He urged people looking to enjoy the county's natural beauty to take a picnic instead.
Mr Hedley said: "The current spell of dry weather means we are very much at a heightened risk of wildfires. While we want people to come and enjoy our beautiful county, we’re asking all residents and visitors to treat the countryside with respect.
“Our advice is simple - please do not light any fires whilst out and take a picnic rather than use campfires and barbecues, which can be devastated by an easily preventable fire. We want you to enjoy the beauty of Northumberland, but we want you to do it safely."
Last August, NFRS spent days tackling a "terrifying" blaze that swept through several hectares of Redesdale Forest in the north west of the county, while in May 2020 there a huge forest fire broke out north of Haydon Bridge.
Coun Gordon Stewart, chairman of the fire authority and county councillor representing Prudhoe South, added: "Fires of all types have a dramatic impact on the community.
"Those in our most treasured landscapes, where people like to come and visit, can have an even greater impact on both a huge area and a huge number of people.
"I would urge people to follow the fire service's advice."
By August 14 last year, the National Fire Chief's Council warned that there had already been 745 wildfires in the UK - up from 247 across the whole of 2021. According to the Red Cross, increasing temperatures caused by climate change is leading to lengthy spells of hot, dry weather, raising the risk of wildfires.
The Met Office's long range weather forecast for the UK states that, from June 13, there will be a gradually increasing likelihood of showers coming from the south and east.
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