In response to recent wildfires causing serious environmental destruction across areas of the Peak District a new ban has been approved in high risk areas of the High Peak.
High Peak Borough Council have approved an order prohibiting the lighting of any type of fire, the use of lighters, matches or other naked flames, posession or lighting of barbecues, fireworks and sky lanterns.
The Public Spaces Protection Order was signed on the 16th April 2021 and will be in place for a period of three years.
Beauty spots including Kinder Scout, Dovestones and Tintwistle have already seen outbreaks of wild moorland fires which can be accidentally started and initially undetected thanks to the high flammability of peat.
Most recently, on Monday 26th fire crews attended a peat fire on the plateau of Kinder Scout, aided by mountain rescue teams due to the difficulty accessing the area. A drone piloted by the Buxton Mountain Rescue Team was employed to identify the specific area on fire
Peat fires can be incredibly difficult to extinguish, are highly carbon inefficient and a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and spead with disastrous consequences for wildlife.
With an anticipated huge rise in visitor numbers to the High Peak as England and the UK ease Covid restrictions allowing visitors to travel, the risk of accidental fire outbreak is a concern.
Moorland burns on Saddleworth Moor in a previous fire in 2020
David Smith, the High Peak's Principal Communities and Partnerships Officer explained to the Glossop Chronicle:
“The majority of fires are caused by careless, thoughtless behaviour and are, therefore, preventable.
“We hope that as well as stopping fires, this Order will help to raise awareness of the dangers so that people who visit these locations to enjoy the landscapes think twice about their actions and how to play their part in protecting our natural environment.”
