FIREFIGHTERS have issued a stark warning against bonfires after a wildfire on Monday night was just ten to 15 minutes away from damaging homes or critical water infrastructure.
The wildfire – which prompted a large initial callout with 18 firefighters, three fire engines and a station commander involved – was caused by a bonfire, according to Jersey Fire and Rescue. Windy conditions and dry vegetation made it spread rapidly.
Station commander for fire safety prevention Chris Smith said wildfires are “amongst the most challenging incidents that we can attend”.
“They are extremely resource-intensive and need prolonged operations over many hours,” he added.
The service received multiple calls from members of the public just before 5pm on Monday, about a blaze on headland near Corbière.
The fire was just above Jersey Water’s desalination plant and near a small cluster of houses. It also damaged a garden shed and threatened a downwind property.
The utility company said that the fire came “dangerously close” to the desalination plant and warned that the Island would have lost “critical” resilience had it been damaged.
“Water resources are already under pressure following an exceptionally hot and dry summer and the plant may yet be needed to replenish supplies,” a Jersey Water spokesperson said. “Thankfully there wasn’t any operational impact.”
The initial callout lasted six hours, before a second crew took over. Firefighters returned again in the morning because the ground was smouldering.
Mr Smith said: “It was very resource-intensive. We were lucky in the fact that a previous call-out that day resulted in our on-call personnel called out to the fire station to assist, so we already had out on-call personnel on station at the time, so they were dispatched at the same time.”
Being able to get to the site on time to stop the fire spreading rapidly was “a mixture of a bit of luck having the personnel on at the time and being able to respond with that many personnel”, he added.
“We have had exceptionally dry and warm weather and the wind was north-easterly at the time – blowing offshore,” said Mr Smith.
“The crews were able to get there in time and actually protect the properties and the shed.” He estimated that had the response not been as quick as it had, the fire would have been “ten to 15 minutes away” from threatening nearby homes.
Many parts of Europe have suffered the devastating effects of wildfires over the summer, while there was also a blaze in Sark.
Mr Smith warned Islanders against lighting bonfires, saying they should “exercise caution and use common sense”, adding: “The crews work very hard and we do train for these incidents. We have operational preparedness. They are professional crews. But they are the most challenging of incidents.”
He warned against a “false sense of security” after recent rainfall – as the ground is still very dry.
“The potential spread is high, particularly during high winds,” he said. “What starts as a small outdoor fire can become a wildfire very quickly.
“We ask the public to try and be mindful before considering setting a bonfire alight, because the consequences can be significant. Any spark or ember out of control can have devastating results.”
Islanders have been advised not to have bonfires and to dispose of glass and litter properly.
