Fires Damage Carbrook Ravine Nature Reserve During Prolonged Dry Weather

We are urging locals to be vigilant after fires were lit on the nature reserve in Sheffield, destroying precious wildflower meadows and putting nearby homes at risk. Ten fire sites have been uncovered across Carbrook Ravine nature reserve and the neighbouring Richmond Heights open space, leaving local residents shaken and precious wildlife habitats burned.

It is suspected that the fires were lit deliberately after several blazes broke out over recent days. One fire caused extensive damage across a section of meadowland, which is usually teeming with insects and other wildlife. Flames were prevented from consuming the whole meadow only when they reached a footpath, which acted as an unexpected firebreak.

Wildflower meadows are precious habitats currently in steep decline across the UK. Staff and volunteers at Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust spend countless hours every year working to restore Carbrook Ravine. The destruction has hit the local conservation team hard, while also causing severe alarm for local residents who watched flames burn near the boundaries of their back gardens.

Marta Alfaro Tirado, Nature Recovery Manager (South) at the Trust, shared her personal reaction to the destruction:

“Seeing these natural spaces in flames is deeply upsetting. After seeing the woods where I spent my childhood in Spain recently reduced to nothing, it is very upsetting to be dealing with this here today. We see the extreme wildfire damage causing devastation in Europe on the news; extended periods of warm, dry weather create those exact same dangers right here in South Yorkshire.”

The Fire service were also called to a fire started by a disposable barbecue in Wharncliffe Wood near the Trust’s Greno Woods nature reserve last week.

We are calling on the public to help prevent further incidents by reporting suspicious activity and talking to young people about fire safety.

“We need everyone to be extra vigilant during dry weather and help us educate people on the consequences of playing with fire or using disposable barbecues. A small flame can quickly get out of control and put lives, homes, and wildlife at risk.”

“Our team dedicates their time and effort all year round to protect nature reserves for the community to enjoy. Seeing years of hard work burn away in minutes is devastating. We ask everyone visiting our green spaces to leave barbecues at home, dispose of cigarettes safely, and call emergency services immediately if they spot smoke.” Marta Alfaro Tirado

Barbecues and campfires are not permitted at any of Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves. South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue service is reminding people not to take disposable BBQs out with them to parks, fields or moorland areas, and to take litter home, explaining that glass bottles in particular can also cause fires.