Cornwall fires on the rise as temperatures soar

The service has attended a staggering 25 fires in the last week alone, many of them grass, field and woodland fires.

With temperatures soaring in recent weeks, the fire service had advised people to take extra care with barbecues and bonfires, especially on farms.

They have advised people that large controlled burns must be reported to Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service on 01209 722860 so that they can ensure the fires do not spread.

The warning come after three large unattended bonfires at councillor Alan Jewell's Pennance Mill Farm had to be put out by firefighters in May when he illegally felled a large area of woodland.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service issued the following advice regarding bonfires on farms: "If you need to have a bonfire, minimise the risk of it spreading to barns and other buildings by planning the location carefully and making sure the fire is not left unattended."

Interestingly, farmers have also been advised to stack hay bales when they are dry rather than allowing them to become damp, as damp hay bales can house chemical reactions which see them spontaneously combust.

Highways England has also issued a warning to drivers asking them not to litter for fear of wildfires spreading.

See-through materials like glass and plastic bottles are especially risky as they can magnify the sun's rays, causing a fire to spark.

In the last week alone, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service have attended a huge number of fires.

Here are some of the incidents in question:

Field fire at Helland Barton, Bodmin, 26/07/2018:

Critical Control received several repeat calls to a field of standing corn that was on fire. Two engines from Bodmin, one from St Austell and the Water Carrier from Liskeard were mobilised. The field measured approximately 30 hectares and crews used four hosereels and beaters and also liaised with the farmer to create fire breaks.

Nearly two hours after attending the crews were still working on putting out the fire.

Grass fire at Pillaton, Saltash 26/07/2018:

One engine from Saltash and one from Callington Fire Station attended this incident. There was approximately one hectare of grass on fire in a field beneath solar panels although the panels were not affected. The crews used four hosereels and beaters to put out the fire which was believed to have started accidentally.

Fire in the open at Pentire Point, Polzeath 26/07/2018:

One engine and a light 4x4 vehicle from Wadebridge extinguished an abandoned campfire on Pentire Point near Polzeath. A member of the public called 999 shortly before 9:30am to report a patch of grass smoldering near the coastal footpath. The crew used one hose reel to extinguish the fire.

Small gorse fire at Carn Brea 26/07/2018:

At 07:11am the Critical Control Centre received a 999 call from a concerned member of the public, who had found two small areas of gorse smoldering and was concerned it could escalate quickly. A fire engine from Tolvaddon Fire Station was immediately mobilized and located two areas of gorse approximately 10m square burning. The crew used beaters and water to extinguish the fire. The cause is suspected to be arson and Devon and Cornwall Police have been informed.

Woodland fire at St Austell Business Park, Carclaze, St Austell 25/07/2018:

One engine from St Austell Fire Station attended a small area of undergrowth that was on fire. The crew used beaters to extinguish the fire. Arson was suspected and Police have been informed.

Field fire at Cury, Helston 25/07/2018:

One engine from Mullion Fire Station attended a call to two hectares of grass on fire. The crew used hosereel to extinguish the fire. Arson was suspected and the Police have been informed.

Trailer fire on Malpas Road, Truro 25/07/2018:

One engine from Truro Fire Community Station attended a trailer containing rubbish that was well alight. The crew used two hosereels and two sets of breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire. The cause was believed to be accidental.

Fire in the open on Trevithick Lane, Pool 24/07/2018:

One engine from Tolvaddon attended a fire in the open at 7.11pm. Once in attendance crews discovered approx. 6 m by 2 m of grass on fire, which had spread to a private fence. Firefighters used one Hose Reel Jet to extinguish the fire. This incident is arson suspected and spread.

Fire in the open on the A30, Roseworthy Dip 24/07/2018:

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service received 32 calls from members of the public reporting a fire in the open on the A30, Roseworthy Dip. One pump from Tolvaddon Community Fire Station was immediately mobilised by Critical Control.

On arrival the officer in charge confirmed a 10 meter by 2 meter area of grass on fire on the eastbound carriageway. Crews extinguished the fire using one hose reel jet.

Fire In the Open

Malabar Road, Truro 24/07/2018:

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service received a call from a member of the public reporting a fire in the open on Malabar Road, Truro. One pump from Truro Community Fire Station was immediately mobilised by Critical Control.

On arrival the officer in charge confirmed a small amount of cardboard on open ground alight. Crews used one hose reel jet to extinguish the fire and confirmed the fire as accidental and spread.

Fire in the open at Foundry Lane, Hayle 23/07/2018:

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service received a call from a member of the public reporting a fire in the open near Foundry Lane, Hayle. One pump from Hayle Community Fire Station was immediately mobilised by Critical Control.

On arrival the officer in charge confirmed a manned bonfire approximately one meter by 5 meters. Advice was given and an incident hand over form was completed.

Residential Fire on Trelissick Road, Hayle 21/07/2018:

At 7am the Critical Control Centre received reports of a property fire in Hayle. Engines from Hayle, Tolvaddon and St Ives were mobilised to the incident.

On arrival crews discovered one detached property, well alight. Firefighters used four breathing apparatus, one hose reel jet and a mains jet to extinguish the fire.

Bin fire at Perran Foundry, Perranarworthal 21/07/2018:

One engine from Falmouth Fire Station attended this incident. Two large bins in a bin store were on fire two sets of breathing apparatus and two hosereels were used to extinguish. The cause of the fire was due to disposal of a barbeque.

Car fire Castle Gate, Ludgvan 20/07/2018:

One engine from St Ives Community Fire Station attended this incident. On arrival crews found a car to be well alight, they used breathing apparatus and two hosereel to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was made safe and left with the owners.

Fence fire at Church Hill, Ludgvan 20/07/2018:

Two engines from Penzance Fire Station, one from St Ives Fire Station and one from Hayle Fire Station attended this incident. The fire involved a 10m garden fence that was well alight and spread to an oil tank in the rear garden. The crews used four breathing apparatus, one hosereel and one main jet to extinguish the fire. An inspection of the property inside and outside was carried out for safety purposes. The cause of the fire was an unattended BBQ.

Fire in the open at Trolver Croft, Feock 20/07/2018:

Engines from Truro Community Fire Station were mobilised by the Critical Control Centre after calls were received saying that woodland near the beach was on fire. Crews used a light portable pump to extinguish the fire.

Field fire in Padstow 20/07/2018:

Engines from Padstow and Wadebridge Community Fire Stations were mobilised to a report of a field on fire. On arrival the crews found sixty square metres of gorse stubble on fire and used two hose reel jets to extinguish the blaze

Field and hedge fire at Buckshead, Truro 20/07/2018:

An engine from Truro Community Fire Station responded to multiple calls of a hedge and field on fire in the Buckshead area. The crews used two hose reel jets and beaters to extinguish the fire.

Unattended controlled burning at Boskednan 20/07/2018:

One engine from Penzance Fire Station are in attendance at a confirmed bonfire in the Bodrifty area of Boskednan. A concerned member of the public called 999 to report a fire which was unattended and starting to flare up.

Straw and stubble on fire at St Newlyn East 19/07/2018:

Two fire engines from Newquay Fire Station and one from Truro Fire Station attended this incident.

The fire involved a large area of stubble measuring approximately 100m by 100m and straw bales. The crew used four hosereels and beaters to stop it spreading to other fields. At 7.15pm the fire was extinguished and the cause was accidental.

Combine harvester fire at St Merryn 19/07/2018:

At 11.53am the Critical Control Centre received a call from a member of the public stating a combine harvester was on fire in a field.

Engines from Padstow and St Columb Major were initially mobilized. On arrival crews quickly requested further appliances from Newquay and a water carrier from Liskeard due to the fire spreading through a corn field.

At 12.15pm crews reported an area of 200M by 50M of field alight, including a combine harvester.