Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service urges public to stay safe during warm, dry spring weather

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service urges public to stay safe during warm, dry spring weather

As Lancashire enjoys a prolonged spell of warm, dry spring sunshine, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging everyone to make the most of the good weather — safely.

Longer, brighter days mean more of us are heading outdoors to walk, picnic, camp, or enjoy the countryside. While we want everyone to enjoy themselves, dry conditions and higher temperatures increase the risk of wildfires and water-related incidents.

We’re asking everyone to take a few simple precautions to help keep themselves, others, and our county safe.

Wildfire Warning

Warm, dry weather makes our outdoor spaces more vulnerable to wildfires — and while some can start naturally, many are caused by human activity.

In recent weeks, we’ve responded to several wildfires across Lancashire. These fires can:

Endanger lives

Damage property and infrastructure

Destroy habitats and harm wildlife

Help prevent wildfires by:

Never using disposable barbecues or lighting fires on the moors, in parks, or on beaches. Take a picnic instead.

Taking your litter home – even small items like glass bottles can start fires.

Avoiding smoking outdoors, and if you do smoke, disposing of cigarettes properly.

Reporting fires immediately by calling 999 if you see smoke or flames – don’t assume someone else already has.

More wildfire safety advice is available on our website.

Water Safety Advice

Warm weather often draws people to rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and the coast — but even strong swimmers can get into difficulty.

Cold water shock, strong currents, or submerged hazards can quickly turn a relaxing swim into a life-threatening situation.

Stay safe around water:

Avoid swimming in open water — opt for your local swimming pool with a lifeguard on duty instead

Don’t walk near water alone if you’ve been drinking.

Float to live - if you find yourself in difficulty in cold water, float until you’ve regained control of your breathing.

If someone is in trouble in the water, call 999 immediately — ask for HM Coastguard at the coast or the fire service inland. Do not attempt a rescue yourself.

Find more detailed water safety guidance on our website.

A message from Group Manager Caroline Harrison:

“We know how tempting it is to get outside and make the most of this beautiful weather — and we don’t want to stop anyone from enjoying it. But we’ve seen firsthand how quickly a fun day can turn into a tragedy.

Taking just a few moments to follow our safety tips can make all the difference. You’ll be protecting yourself, your family, and the county we all love.

Please help us by sharing these messages. By preventing avoidable incidents, you’re also helping us stay ready to respond quickly where we’re most needed.”

Reply to this message

Message Sent By
Lucinda Heavyside
(Lancashire Fire & Rescue, Communications Officer, Lancashire)