Firefighters have seen a staggering increase in the number of open fires attended this year compared to last.

In July this year, crews from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service attended 339 fires in the open. This is a massive 182 per cent increase to the 120 fires attended in the same month last year.

The service also reported a 30 per cent increase in calls reported by fire control during the same time frame.

Group manager Dave Waters said: “The lack of rain means the ground is really dry, and any fire will spread even more quickly than usual as a result.

“The risk is as great in your garden as it is on a heathland but taking extra care, and perhaps doing things a bit differently to usual, can make a huge difference to staying safe.”

Visit dwfire.org.uk/safety-outdoors for more information.