Wildfire concerns ahead of Easter weekend

Residents and visitors to Norfolk are being asked to help reduce the risk of wildfires in the county, as the county has already seen an increase in spring grassland and forest fires. 

With more people heading outdoors over the Easter holidays, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service is asking the public to be vigilant and report fires quickly. 

Nationally, there have been several large wildfires and the National Fire Chiefs Council say above average temperatures and below average rainfall has heightened the risk. 

In March, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service attended 17 fires in the open, which is higher than usual for this time of year. Many of them were deemed to have been deliberately ignited and involved grassed areas and woodland. The incidents were spread right across the county, including King's Lynn, Gorleston, Reepham and Norwich. Crews also attended 13 outdoor fires, involving grassland, in February. 

Crews have also attended several accidental outdoor fires this April, including one involving discarded cigarettes and another with a barbecue that set fire to a house. 

Chief Fire Officer Ceri Sumner said: "While the risk of wildfires is higher due to a lack of rainfall and higher temperatures, it is disappointing to see that so many of these incidents were deliberate. Fires are devastating for our habitats and pose great risk to the safety of our communities. Small fires can easily and quickly spread, posing risk to the county, its people and our firefighters. 

"Warmer and drier conditions elevate the risk of fires spreading, so it is really important that if people see even just a small fire they call 999 quickly. Downloading the What Three Words app also helps us if it is a woodland or remote location, as the data callers provide allows us to pinpoint exactly where the incident is quickly." 

As well as deliberately ignited fires, weather conditions increase the risk of accidental fires starting. 

Simple steps residents can take to help reduce the risk of wildfire include: 

• Not using portable barbecues, which can accidentally set light to the ground and escalate quickly
• Safely disposing of smoking materials such as cigarettes and matches, ensuring they are fully out 
• Disposing of rubbish in bins or taking it home. Glass bottles can pose a fire risk when discarded due to sunlight on the glass 

If you notice any suspicious behaviour or see someone intentionally starting a fire, contact the Police immediately or report the information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If you see a fire, call 999 immediately. 

*While 2022 was a record year for wildfires in the UK, England and Wales has already experienced more wildfires so far this year than for the same period in 2022. A total of 286 wildfires have been recorded from 1 January to 4 April 2025, more than 100 above the number for 2022. March was recorded as the sunniest ever in England and April has already seen warmer than average temperatures. 

*Data from NFCC wildfire risk