Mad March - controlled burning season comes to an end

It’s that time of year when we are coming to the end of the controlled burning season (1^st October – 31^st March) when land managers can burn heather, gorse and grassland as part of their management. As we move in to March, the ground conditions can improve, making it suitable for a burn, however this often gets pushed to the end of March when there is a flurry of burning activity across the County’s moorland.

Because of the extraordinary year brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, the emergency services are under immense strain with fewer staff due to sickness or isolation, not to forget the increased pressures faced by our NHS. For this reason, we ask that landowners and farmers please reconsider any planned heather or gorse burning this March and postpone to next season.

If you are planning a controlled burn, you must adhere to the Welsh Government’s Heather and Grass Burning Regulations (2008). Here is a quick check list of what you need to know:

• Are you permitted to burn?
  • Check management agreements on land and subsidy cross compliance (GAEC).

• You must have a Burning Management Plan or Licence to burn.
  • NW Fire & Rescue Service can assist with this for FREE call 01931 522006.

• Inform NW Fire & Rescue Service Control Room on 01931 522006
  • notify in advance of the location, date, time and extent of proposed burn.
  • notify them at the end of the day when all fires have been extinguished.

• • Inform neighbours and community 24hrs before planned burn.
    • inform DCC officers if burning in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

• No burning between sunset and sunrise.

• Burn no more than 10 ha (24 acres) in any single burn.

• Do not burn up hill on steep slopes.
  • Burn no more than 0.5 ha (1 acre) on slopes of more than 45^o in any single burn.

• Have 3 or more people present and suitable equipment to control the fire.
  • 1 person per 5-10m of fire front and control the flanks to desired width.

• • Wind speed should be no more than 15mph (force 4)
    • Check wind direction and ensure there is no risk to people, property, and wildlife.

• A fire must not be started which is likely to injure, interrupt or endanger road users.

• If a fire gets out of control contact the fire and rescue service immediately on 999.

• • Fire must be completely out before you leave it.
    • check next day to ensure fire has not reignited.

• It is illegal to leave a fire unattended or to have too few people to control it.

Any person who contravenes any provision of the Burning Regulations commits an offence under section 20(2) of the Hill Farming Act 1946 and may be liable to a fine not exceeding £1,000.