Firefighters across Kent and Medway are urging the public to do their bit to reduce the risk of a grass fire during spells of warm weather.

The reminder comes after crews have been called to over 300 accidental grass fires since the start of May, with more than 130 of those incidents in July alone.

Over the weekend (24 to 26 July), firefighters attended more than 30 outdoor fires across the county, which were caused by out-of-control bonfires, campfires left unattended, disposable barbecues, and discarded cigarettes.

And with more hot weather predicted, people are being urged to enjoy the outdoors responsibly to help keep everyone safe.

Nick Scott, Assistant Director for Response at Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), said: “During prolonged periods of hot weather, the ground can become extremely dry, which causes fires to start and spread quickly.

“And these types of fires can have devastating consequences on the pubic and environment, such as injuring or killing wildlife, destroying property and livelihoods, or even putting someone’s life at risk.

“They also require a huge amount of resources and while our crews are expertly trained and have specialist kit to respond to grass fires, they can be faced with working in difficult and hot conditions.

“Everyone can help to reduce the risk just by being responsible and taking extra care outdoors, so please do your bit to keep people safe.”

To help reduce the risk of a grass fire, people should:

• Dispose of smoking materials responsibly, making sure cigarettes are fully out and cooled before being put in a bin - do not drop them onto the ground, and consider using a portable ashtray 
• If using a disposable barbecue, place it on a flat, non-flammable surface and only dispose of it once it’s cold  
• Position barbecues or braziers well clear of any greenery and property
• Avoid having bonfires when the Natural England Fire Severity Index is High or Severe, or in windy weather. 

If you discover a grass fire, move to a safe place and call 999 immediately with as much detail as possible (size, terrain and location). What3Words is a useful app that can pinpoint your exact location.