A WILDFIRE prevention campaign has been launched exactly one year on from one of the most devastating fires the county has ever seen.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) has launched the #BringAPicnicNotABBQ campaign on the anniversary of the Wareham Forest fire.

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.

The campaign aims to remind Dorset residents and visitors to take care in open spaces this summer. A seven-minute film has been produced to highlight the impacts the fire has on organisations across Dorset, as well as the work that is being done to prevent something like this from happening again.

The campaign particularly aims to emphasise the dangers of disposable barbecues being left behind when they are still hot.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer at DWFRS Andy Cole said: "Firefighters, control room operators and all staff from across Dorset and Wiltshire who supported the Wareham Forest fire worked extremely hard to bring it to a safe conclusion.

"The incident highlighted just how devastating and resource intensive wildfires are. With nice weather hopefully on the way, and government coronavirus restrictions easing this week, it is only natural to want to go outdoors and enjoy it with friends and family, but it is also important to stay fire-aware when out and about.

"The idea behind the #BringAPicnicNotABBQ campaign is to remind those enjoying our countryside that bringing a picnic is a much safer option than having a barbecue."

Chair of Dorset Fire Authority Councillor Rebecca Knox said: "The Wareham Forest fire was one of the most significant events DWFRS have dealt with for many years. In order to bring the fire under control the service required nationwide resources.

"The incident was immediately recognised by the Home Office as a national emergency. The Fire and Rescue Authority put everything into ensuring that DWFRS had all the resources it needed to deal with the fire, and we worked closely with local MPs and the Home Office to make sure this was the case.

"As an authority, we continue to support the service to ensure we can educate residents and visitors to Dorset and Wiltshire about the dangers of disposable barbecues so that everyone can enjoy our beautiful countryside safely. Please, if you’re out and about in Dorset and Wiltshire this summer, bring a picnic, not a barbecue."