Fire warning issued for Yorkshire Dales countryside

Photo: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

The public is being urged not to light fires or use barbecues in the Yorkshire Dales this weekend due to the risk of fire.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has warned that grassland and moorland in the park are currently tinder dry.

David Butterworth, chief executive of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “With the national park proving a popular place for people to get some exercise and fresh air, it’s important to leave the barbecues at home.

“Wildfires put unnecessary strain on emergency services as they work to combat the Covid-19 coronavirus.

“Nobody should be lighting fires or barbecues in the countryside and everyone should be taking their litter home to reduce the instances of fire”.

The authority says it will be updating the status of its car parks online throughout the weekend.

Anyone planning to drive to the national park should check the car park status webpage before and during their journey

Experience of recent weekends indicates that car parks in the south of the national park – especially Malham and Horton-in-Ribblesdale – fill up early and quickly.

“We would therefore recommend, in addition to regularly checking the status of car parks, that people consider using car parks and walks in other parts of the national park,” added Mr Butterowrth.