Firefighters have tackled their first wildfire of 2025.
Crews from Shap and Penrith, plus a wildfire crew from Appleby, were called to Ralfland Common, near Shap just after noon today, Wednesday March 19.
A fire covering around 100m x 300m was well alight on arrival, the crews said, and was dealt with using beaters and scotty back packs.
Penrith Fire Station said: “On arrival crews were met by local farmers who assisted in transporting and directing crews to the scene due to difficult access.
“This is the first wildfire of the year for the crew and unfortunately looking at the amount of dead vegetation and fire loading that covers the uplands in our area we fear it may not be the last.
“It’s clear to see that the management or rather lack of, across the county’s uplands in recent years is having a huge impact on increasing the risk of wildfire.
“Landlords and other organisations forcing farmers hands in the removal of sheep, the very people and animals that have helped shape the beauty of these areas that we know and love.
“All that we see now are increasing vast acres of dead brown ground with the potential for serious harm, undoing any good they feel they are doing for nature or the environment.
“Please take care and pay respect to these uplands if you’re out walking and enjoying them.
“Avoid the use of naked flames and be careful discarding cigarettes.
“It really doesn’t take much to cause serious damage and a moments carelessness can lead to days of firefighting in some cases, tying up a huge number of resources which would otherwise be available to people in need.
“This fire could have been a whole lot worse in the height of summer.”
