Peak Access Land closed

[macc ladd]

The fire risk is now at "extreme" level, therefore the CROW access land has been closed in the Peak District. Normal Rights of Way unaffected...
http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/index...e.htm?id=14214

[Joe]

Obviously public rights of way are less flamable than other footpaths!

Must remember not to throw away any cigarette ends when I'm out running tonight.

[Slippery Stones]

so its that time of year again.....or is it earlier this year ?

the first bit of sunshine and the ground is parched still closing the access land will im sure make irresponsible people stop and think before striking a match etc etc

[macc ladd]

Hmm..... I would have thought the best way to get the moors go up in smoke is to advertise the fact to all the pyromaniacs that it is in great condition for a bonfire.

[bill]

Be fair: apart from a few days last week, April was bone dry, and for most of time there's been plenty of sunshine & a breeze, in short, ideal drying conditions (it's termed "fire weather" in some parts of the world).

I view closing access land as a gesture: powers-that-be have to be seen to be doing something. No matter that the closures will probably have no impact. Hmm... could do everyone a favour by running over the "closed" land & picking up any discarded glass ... in the unlikely event of coming across any that is.

Aren't most moorland fires the result of either (a) a controlled burn getting out of control (b) vandals (for want of a better word)?

[Joe]

Aren't most moorland fires the result of either (a) a controlled burn getting out of control (b) vandals (for want of a better word)?

I wonder how many are caused by people throwing cigarette ends out of car windows?

[bill]

According to this lot...
Peak District National Park Authority, National Trust, Natural England, United Utilities, Severn Trent Water, Environment Agency, Derbyshire County Council, Sheffield City Council and Moorland Owners:

The main causes of accidental fires are arson, discarded cigarettes, campfires and camping stoves, out of control managed burns, and in some rare cases, lightening and sunlight magnifying on broken glass. Statistically it appears most fires occur at weekends, especially Saturdays, and near to footpaths.

Hmm.... near to footpaths - where human traffic is steered - rather than on the free-to-roam access land.

Meanwhile, over on the The Peak District National Park Authority's site...

Walkers can act as a useful fire watch and give early notice of the danger particularly if carrying a mobile phone. Accurate information on the location with map reference or bearing can save precious time

So, it may actually be useful at times like this to encourage runners (so long as they're carrying mobiles & can read a map) onto the access land?

[Joe]

So, it may actually be useful at times like this to encourage runners (so long as they ... can read a map) onto the access land?

Not many of them about

[Mad Dog]

Accurate information on the location with map reference or bearing can save precious time

Well that probably rules out the majority of fell runners then!

Woof!

[Slippery Stones]

Aren't most moorland fires the result of either (a) a controlled burn getting out of control (b) ....

this activity can only take place outside of (ground) nesting season...November (after the shooting has more or less finished) up to end of march i seem to remember....having been involved with many a controlled burn. what a HORRID job that was