'Danger' warning after forest campfires found

Forestry bosses have warned of the "danger and irreversible damage" campfires can cause after several were discovered at Dalby Forest in the heart of the North York Moors National Park.

Fire crews were called to the forest on Monday where smoke had been seen and extinguished a small campfire.

Forestry England said in the past few weeks its team at Dalby had encountered a number of campfires, gas stoves and barbecues and reminded people all of these were strictly prohibited.

Last summer, a major moorland fire began at nearby Langdale Moor which at its height covered nearly 10 sq miles (25 sq km) and burned for more than 40 days.

An investigation said the blaze was likely to have been caused by someone cooking using a campfire or gas burner.

"Following last year's moorland fire, and with the UK currently at an Amber Fire Risk, these rules about fires and barbecues are not optional," a Forestry England spokesperson said.

"They are in place to protect lives, wildlife and the forest itself."

They added that even a controlled fire could "ignite devastating fires in moments".

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said it had offered advice to the person responsible for Monday's fire and urged people to remember that in dry conditions fires "can start easily and spread rapidly".

Forestry England said: "[Fires] put people in danger and cause irreversible damage to habitats that take years, sometimes decades, to recover.

"If you are planning a visit this week, do the responsible thing. Leave anything that could start a fire at home and bring a cold picnic instead."

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