Statement from Guildford Borough Council, Cllr James Steel, Lead Councillor for Environment

“We are in regular contact with Surrey Fire and Rescue after many fires across Surrey last week. We want to ensure that we have procedures in place to react quickly to emergencies.  

Most of these fires were started by people lighting fires and barbecues. To help prevent this we are: 

• putting up signs reminding people not to light fires and barbecues on our land

• asking people to take their litter home

• cutting wider fire breaks. This will prevent fires spreading across our meadows and into built-up areas.

Climate change has contributed to these fires. The loss of natural habitat worldwide is one of the causes of the changing climate. Our long-term plan is to continue to manage our land to protect the natural habitat. This will help us meet our climate change commitment.

Please help protect our green spaces and wildlife by not lighting barbecues and disposing of litter and cigarettes responsibly.”