The beginning of the Northumberland Fire Group

Forest Enterprise and Northumberland Fire Service invited Northwoods to assist in the formation of a fire group - to bring together all the relevant people, establish the network and look at creating an active and involved fire group as well as seeking funding to support it. This has happened now for several reasons - longer, dryer, hotter summers, increased access to the countryside, loss of traditional wildfire management skills - and the current enthusiasm and drive to get the group up and running!

What is a fire group?

The Northumberland Fire Group is a coming together of both the public and private sectors to tackle the increasing threat of large wildfires in the rural environment of Northumberland. Members of the fire group include landowners, land agents, public sector bodies, farmers and anyone with an interest in the occurrence of wildfire. The fire group seeks to improve Northumberland's resiliency to wildfire by delivering activities that address both wildfire prevention and response. At a practical level, a fire group establishes firm lines of communication, increases the public's wildfire awareness, provides relevant wildfire training and provides a structure for wildfire response that together facilitates an effective response to wildfire.

Aims

1) To contribute to the sustainable development of rural Northumberland through the protection of its economy, environment, heritage and rural communities by minimising the growing risk of the devastating impacts of wildfire due to the influence of global climate change:

a) to reduce the occurrence of wildfire by promoting fire prevention to land managers, local communities and visitors;
b) improve moorland burning practices to improve habitats and biodiversity and reduce the risk of wildfire;
c) to reduce the scale and impact of wildfires when they do occur.

2) To maintain a strong network that encourages collaboration and allows rural communities to take an active role in protecting their environment, local economy and cultural heritage.

Objectives

i. Maintain membership of the Northumberland Fire Group
ii. Encourage and assist the completion of fire plans by fire group members
iii. Facilitate the dissemination of information, advice and guidance on moorland/forest fire risk and management
iv. The production of fire awareness promotional material for locals and visitors emphasising the impacts of wildfire and managed burning on the natural environment and landscape
v. Deliver both theoretical (class-room based) and practical (Live Wildfire Exercise) wildfire training to organisations operating in rural Northumberland