Heathland destroyed in Fire

[flying red fox]

This is so sad, i just heard this on my local news, South Today that a large area of heathland and nature reserve in Surrey have been destroyed in a fire

Hope this hasnt been posted already, if so sorry.

I hope people will be more careful with discarding cigarretes, making BBQ's having bonfires, etc. One listake can cause lots of wild animals and insects to be killed which is such a shame.

Please lets be careful and protect our wildlife during this hot spell we are having

[Wild-Woman]

Here here FRF. Quite agree. ww

[eeyore]

Too right - we have lost nearly an acre and a hlf of hay meadow so far - though some of that may have been deliberate arson.

which heath was it FRF ?

[pet]

Hi all, it is Thursley common and its my local patch and i am MAD!!!!!!!! It has all six reps and many heathland insects not to mention being one of the most important habitats for dragonfly in the whole uk with one of the widest populations of different species. it also has many ground nesting birds. so so sad.At least sixsty percent gone. it will take years of hard work, but it will be restored, there's people amongst our "kind" that will see of it.

[pet]

PS, just thought i would add some good news to this sad thread, as i sure need a chin-up storey, local to me is a wonderfull place with heaps and heaps of wildlife and rural history, It's called Blackheath common and has been under threat from Star gas company wanting to drill on this site that is so delecate and is a cherished home to at least for of our reptiles, an bundle of rare birdlife and tons of heathland insects, not to mention a beautifull, peacefull place to walk and just to be. Anyways to the point, Star gas have withdrawn planning after petitions and campaignes from many nature loving so and so's.

[rlchew]

It is so sad when you hear about heathland fires. This is such a fragile and precious habitat with some wonderful wildlife.

You really would think people would be more careful, especially in this very hot and dry weather.

My local patch has got signs up saying no fires, BBQs, etc.

Richard

[arvensis]

A 52 year old moron has been arrested and bailed by police on suspicion of arson n. Would use stronger language but this is a family forum. Certainly not good for anything at Thursley. I may pop there when its cooled down a little in the hope of seeing some reptiles that survived.

Mark

[rlchew]

Originally Posted by arvensis

A 52 year old moron has been arrested and bailed by police on suspicion of arson n. Would use stronger language but this is a family forum. Certainly not good for anything at Thursley. I may pop there when its cooled down a little in the hope of seeing some reptiles that survived.

Mark

I said about people being more careful.

If this is true that it is deliberate arson that is even worse .

I agree that strong language is very appropriate but probbably not here on WAB.

Richard

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by rlchew

I said about people being more careful.

If this is true that it is deliberate arson that is even worse .

I agree that strong language is very appropriate but probbably not here on WAB.

Richard

earlier on today i caught to teenagers trying to torch a meadow using a spray can as a flame gun

after i'd stopped shouting I asked what the flip they though they were playing at and got the deeply intellectual reply "its something to do anyway innit, its just grass and that, yeah who cares man, whynt you just **** off"

Sadly I was in uniform so planting my size ten boot firmly in his butt was not an option - shame

[TheTracker]

I live in Dorset near Canford Heath that was torched not so long ago we have the school holidays starting end of the week we will get a few more fire before the summers out, I go out at weekends fire patrolling to try and help prevent this sort of thing but with the way people are nowadays it is frustrating, two lads were arested for this fire the police took one home and the father asulted the police officer so what can I say

[flying red fox]

Originally Posted by eeyore

earlier on today i caught to teenagers trying to torch a meadow using a spray can as a flame gun

after i'd stopped shouting I asked what the flip they though they were playing at and got the deeply intellectual reply "its something to do anyway innit, its just grass and that, yeah who cares man, whynt you just **** off"

Sadly I was in uniform so planting my size ten boot firmly in his butt was not an option - shame

Its very sad when you meet people like that but you did the right thing eeyore, Fighting them would only result in you being hurt or even worse.

Also you showed how strong you were to them by walking away, although at the time that didnt seem powerful as fighting, emotionally you may have won

[Wild-Woman]

Let's hope the recovery rate for these areas that have lost so much is rapid. I just hope that as much fauna got out as possible and the flora, hopefully if seeded or grows in a root network, kicks into life again.I know lots of us don't particularly like the stuff but lets's hope it rains, a whole shed-load, to dampen these tinder dry areas down for a while.ww

[flying red fox]

When i was in Cape Town, South Africa last December/ January, there was some major mountainside fires that got me panicky!

But i was suprised when my friends said oh thats the norm and it will regenerate itself in a years time, i was like oh theres a major fire on Table Mountain and they say its nornal

But that is Africa, i think here it could grow again but still any fire is tragic to wildlife non the less.

[canonman]

Hi
It's a sad story, and if true about that man ?? I don't think there is many words member of the WAB would not call him.
I don't think people understand the damage they cause when lighting fires, they just see it as grass burning, they have no concept of wildlife being there, or the recovery times required..
Nature being what it is, the ground will recover and hopefully the animals and birds will return, but we all know this will take time.
Let’s hope the law make an example of the man, but i suppose he will not be able to pay the fine
Mick

[MalcolmX]

i live by the ashdown forest and this a regular occurrence and although sad it does regenerate and often as better than before . after the storm of 87 the forest was devastated but within 10 years it was back with an increased number of wild life and plants . sometimes we can be too protective of these areas and a good purge often produces a much better area than before ,not that i would deliberately set heathland on fire .

[nightshade]

Please do not shout at them eeyore,it is an assult and you are the one that would be in trouble,they are only exercising their human rights to have"fun" at the expense of others
as laid out in the pc peoples handbook

[Wild-Woman]

Great sense of humour our Nightshade has.