Bonfire warning as sunny weather forecast for another few days

Thursday 12 July 2018

We may be tempting the rain clouds; but advice has been issued to anyone thinking about lighting a bonfire during the hot sunny weather we've been experiencing lately.

Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service issued the warning, following a number of call outs this week.

That message was echoed by Deputy Neil Inder who himself admits he is old enough to remember the summer of '76 when parched land caused by a prolonged drought led to a number of fires across the island. He said; "so far, this year, it's starting to feel very similar and the land is looking incredibly parched."

The summer of '76 saw a few fires, with blazes devastating areas at Pleinmont, L'ancresse and other locations. However, that year was very different to the summer of 2018 so far.

1976 saw a drought; not seen since in the Channel Islands, and while reports suggest there were 15 consecutive days when temperatures reached 32C or higher somewhere in the UK then, so far this year, there have been only two consecutive days when temperatures hit 32C or higher in the UK this year: June 28 and June 29.

The official hottest temperature so far this year was recorded on Sunday 8 July when it was 26.9C at Guernsey Airport. 

This week's forecast for Guernsey sees temperatures in the mid 20s at the highest. 

Earlier this week, Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service were called to a number of incidents in one day leading to the subsequent warnings and advice.

On Monday, firefighters had to deal with a gorse fire at Pleinheaume (pictured above). The same afternoon the Fire and Rescue Service received two further emergency calls but both incidents turned out to be "controlled burns." At the time fire crews gave the person responsible for each fire advice on how to safely manage them.

Guernsey Fire & Rescue Service Head of Operations; Pierre Lainé, said it would make life easier and safer for everyone if people would not light bonfires at the moment.

“Given the current very dry conditions the Service has had to deal with a number of incidents that could have been avoided. Therefore, I would ask that members of the public help keep the community safe by refraining from lighting bonfires during this period.”   

He said, if you are unsure whether a fire is a "controlled burn" or not, it is always best to call 999.

“These incidents are not always at an easily identifiable location, so if you do call, which I would urge you to do, please provide the Operator with all the information possible as to the location, if you are unsure, consider using a known landmark as a starting point.” 

The same day, on Monday night, a house fire in Lower Hauteville devastated a number of flats in a multi occupancy property. Earlier the same day