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Fire safety outdoors - the countryside and thatched properties

Every year, fire destroys thousands of acres of countryside and wildlife habitats. Some fires are started deliberately, but most are due to carelessness – and a few simple precautions can prevent them. There are also additional safety measures you should take if you live (or holiday) in a property with a thatched roof.

How to reduce the risk of wildfires

Follow these tips to reduce the risks of wildfires in the countryside:

  • extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly
  • never throw cigarette ends out of car windows – they can ruin whole fields of crops
  • don’t leave bottles or glass in woodlands – sunlight shining through glass can start fires; take them home or put them in a waste or recycling bin
  • only use barbecues in a suitable and safe area and never leave them unattended – follow the link below for more details on safe barbecuing
  • avoid using open fires in the countryside
  • if you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately
  • don’t attempt to tackle fires that can’t be put out with a bucket of water – leave the area as quickly as possible

If you're camping in the countryside, follow the link below for advice on how to prevent fires.

Permission for outdoor fires

A fire in the open can easily get out of control. You should always check with the landowner first whether fires and barbecues are permitted on their land, and only have them in safe, designated areas. Children should always be kept away from any open fire.

Fire safety for thatched buildings

Thatched roofs are always at risk from fire. Once a fire has taken hold in a thatched roof, it will spread rapidly.

The commonest causes of fire in thatch are:

  • electrical faults
  • lightning affecting the television aerial
  • stray sparks from the chimneys, discarded cigarettes and garden bonfires

Television aerials

Television aerials on thatched buildings should be fitted to a freestanding pole. Where this is not possible, the aerial should be fixed to a gable or gable-end chimney, where the cable can be run down the wall, avoiding contact with the thatch. Disconnect your television aerial during electrical storms to prevent damage to the system.

In addition to following all the usual precautions for fire safety in the home (see the link below for these everyday safety measures), if you are in a thatched building, you should also:

  • keep chimneys and flues clean and well-maintained
  • use a bulkhead type light fitting in your loft space
  • never burn rubbish or garden waste near the property
  • never light fireworks near a thatched property

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