Fire alert for North York Moors National Park

People planning to visit the North York Moors National Park over the bank holiday weekend and half term week are being asked not to light fires or BBQs as the area remains on fire alert.

The National Park Authority uses data from the Meteorological Office which looks at moisture levels in the soil and weather conditions to determine the level of risk for the North York Moors.

Fire risk warning signs are being put up around the National Park and will remain in place until the risk passes.

Bernie McLinden, the North York Moors National Park Authority’s Head of Park Management, said: “April’s blazing sunshine may have been replaced with cooler temperatures and the odd rain shower in recent weeks, but this has made very little difference to conditions on the moors. Dry vegetation, a lack of moisture in the ground and breezy conditions could quickly whip a spark from a BBQ or dropped cigarette into a large blaze.”

People are asked to avoid lighting fires and BBQs and to not discard cigarettes, matches or glass bottles including throwing cigarette ends out of car windows.

If people see a fire, they should report it quickly to the fire service by dialling 999 so that they can take the appropriate action.