AN AMBER wildfire alert has been issued as firefighters warn of the dangers of a repeat of last year's devastating Wareham Forest blaze.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued the warning for the coming week as a result of the dry and windy conditions expected over the next few days which means that, should a wildfire occur, it could spread quickly and easily.

Last year, a blaze ripped through around 220 hectares of forest and heathland in Wareham Forest - an incident which was described as 'one of the most devastating fires in Dorset, in living memory' by a senior officer in the fire service - which was believed to have been started by a disposable barbecue.

Fire service bosses are urging members of the public to play their part in helping to reduce the risk of wildfires from spreading again this year by not using disposable barbecues or having campfires in forests, and by staying 'fire aware' at all times.

Group manager Jason Moncrieff said: "In light of the amber wildfire alert, we are asking for the public's help by not having campfires or using disposable barbecues in our forests and heathlands.

"Whilst we understand that the lifting of some lockdown restrictions combined with the dry weather will mean people will want to go out and about, we cannot stress enough the importance of being fire aware."

The fire service has offered some fire safety tips in a bid to help reduce the risk of wildfires:

A spokesman for DWFRS said: "Don't have barbecues or campfires on the heath or in open spaces; the risk of a fire starting is too great in the current conditions.

"Extinguish cigarettes properly, don't throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows - take your litter home.

"If you see a fire in the countryside, call 999 and report it immediately to the fire and rescue service. Please provide as much detail as possible about location and access, but also make sure you are in a safe place."

Mr Moncrieff added: "Please follow these few steps so we can avoid another wildfire in our beautiful countryside."

For more information on staying safe and enjoying outside areas while avoiding starting a wildfire, visit www.dwfire.org.uk/safety/heath-fires-and-countryside-safety/