ENJOY your gardens – but please don’t light bonfires, say Cornwall’s firefighters.

With the county in the grip of a very dry spell, many people using their gardens, and emergency services under pressure, Cornwall Fire and  Rescue Service is warning of the dangers of barbecues, bonfires, fireworks and paper lanterns.

The call comes after a spate of fires on the moor and elsewhere over the last few days.

Incidents included a controlled burn - that got out of control and set fire to a hedge – in the Horningtops area, and a huge tract of fire near Rough Tor.

’Vegetation is getting very dry and any naked flame could spark a gorse fire or similar,’ said Cornwall Council’s cabinet member for Public Protection Rob Nolan.

’Our emergency services are all under pressure due to the Covid-19 crisis, so we are appealing to people to find ways to enjoy their gardens and the outdoors without risking starting wildfires.’

People having barbecues are encouraged to keep water or a fire extinguisher nearby.

Meanwhile, landowners and fire crews alike object to flying ‘Chinese’ lanterns which carry a naked flame out across the open countryside.

’They are not only a fire risk once they fall to earth, but usually have metal components that are a hazard to livestock,’ said Cornwall Council.

Rob Nolan adds: ’Please be cautious and resist the need to use naked flames outdoors while this dry spell continues. We need our fire service to be there to respond to life-threatening incidents and road accidents, and to be on standby to assist their blue light colleagues.’