Help prevent wildfires

Oxfordshire's countryside, woodlands and grassland are treasured spaces — but during dry and hot weather, they can become extremely vulnerable to fire. Most wildfires are started by accident, and a few simple precautions can make all the difference. Please take a moment to read this advice before you head outdoors.

Simple steps that save lives, land, property and wildlife

Don't light bonfires or open fires

• Avoid lighting bonfires, campfires or any open fires in the countryside, on open land, or in areas of dry grass, woodland or heath.
• Fires can spread rapidly in dry conditions and are extremely difficult to control once they take hold outdoors.
• If you need to dispose of garden waste, use a local recycling centre or composting instead of burning it.

Take your litter home — especially glass

• Never discard glass bottles or broken glass outdoors. Sunlight refracting through glass can act like a magnifying glass and ignite dry grass or leaves, starting a fire with no human contact at all.
• Always take litter home with you or dispose of it in a proper bin. This includes bottles, cans, cigarette ends and food packaging.

Be sensible with BBQs

• Only use BBQs in designated areas and never on peat, moorland, dry grass, or near woodland.
• Although disposable BBQs are still sold in some shops and supermarkets, we recommend that you do not use them. They are a common cause of wildfires, as they're often placed directly on grass, left on picnic tables, or discarded while still hot.
• If you do use any type of BBQ, make sure it is raised off the ground on a stable, non-flammable surface — never placed directly on grass or in undergrowth.
• Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby in case of an emergency.
• Never leave a BBQ unattended, and make sure it's completely cool before you leave — embers can stay hot for hours and reignite later.
• Fully extinguish the coals with water; don't just let them burn out.

Extinguish cigarettes properly

• Stub cigarettes out fully and dispose of them in a suitable container — never throw them onto the ground, especially in dry grass or woodland.

Take extra care in hot, dry weather

• During periods of high fire risk, avoid any activity that could create a spark or flame in the countryside.
• Check local fire risk warnings before planning outdoor activities.
• Report unattended fires or signs of smoke immediately by calling 999.

Know your location with what3words

• Download the app: if you're out in the countryside, woodland or on open land.
• What3words has divided the world into 3m x 3m squares, each with its own unique three-word address — really useful in rural areas where street addresses or postcodes aren't available.
• If you spot a fire, open the app to find your three-word address, then give it to the 999 call handler. It helps the fire service locate you and the incident quickly and accurately, even in remote areas.

Advice for caravan, mobile home & campsite visitors

If you're staying in a caravan park, campsite or mobile home site, please also follow this guidance to keep yourself, other visitors, and the surrounding land safe:

• Follow site rules on fires and BBQs. Many sites have designated areas for campfires and BBQs, or ban them altogether — always check with site management before lighting anything.
• Keep a safe distance. Position BBQs, fire pits and gas stoves well away from caravans, tents, awnings, hedges, fences and dry vegetation.
• Never use BBQs or gas stoves inside tents, awnings, caravans, or mobile homes — this also poses a serious carbon monoxide risk, in addition to the fire risk.
• Check gas and electrical equipment (hobs, heaters, gas bottles) before use, and make sure connections are secure and undamaged.
• Keep fire safety equipment to hand — a bucket of water, sand, or a fire extinguisher/blanket if travelling with one.
• Dispose of ash and coals safely. Even ash from an extinguished fire can retain heat for hours. Douse it with water and place in a metal container away from anything flammable — never in a bin bag or straight onto grass.
• Park considerately. Avoid parking vehicles on dry grass for extended periods, as hot exhausts and catalytic converters can ignite vegetation underneath.
• Know your escape routes and the site's emergency procedures in case a fire does start nearby.
• Report any fire immediately to site management and call 999 — don't assume someone else has already reported it.

In an emergency

If you see a fire or smoke in the countryside, do not attempt to tackle large fires yourself.

Call 999 immediately and give as much detail as possible about the location — use the what3words app if you're in an open or rural area to help us find you fast.

Thank you for helping us protect Oxfordshire's countryside, wildlife and communities.