A disposable barbecue is believed to have sparked a wildfire at Cannock Chase that killed adders and toads and burned a football pitch-sized area of protected heath-land. Firefighters were called to Brocton at about 18:00 BST on Thursday, and Staffordshire County Council said crews were still damping down hot spots on Friday.
The blaze scorched part of Sherbrook Valley, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation. Chase Road was shut from Camp Road to Brocton Nursery, with the closure set to continue until at least Monday while the risk of a fresh blaze is reassessed.
Hayley Coles on Cannock Chase
Hayley Coles, the Staffordshire County Council deputy leader, said the fire service was able to bring the blaze under control, but she warned the site may not be so lucky next time because it is close to irreplaceable veteran oak trees. She also said she was particularly sad to learn that animals lost their lives in the blaze and that a large amount of rare heath-land habitat was lost.
That damage matters for anyone using the area because the fire spread across protected land, not just open ground. The loss of adders and toads shows the blaze reached living habitat as well as vegetation, and the shutdown of Chase Road cut through the stretch between Camp Road and Brocton Nursery.
Rich Williams and the ban
Rich Williams of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said incidents like this place significant demand on resources during an already very busy period. He said it is absolutely crucial that people adhere to the ban on disposable barbecues at Cannock Chase.
Staffordshire and West Midlands Fire Control said Wednesday was one of their busiest days of the year, with 800 calls about incidents. The West Midlands had also been under a drought declaration, adding to the pressure on crews dealing with the blaze at Cannock Chase.
The road will stay closed until at least Monday, when the fresh-blaze risk is due to be reassessed. For people heading through the area, that means the immediate question is whether the barbecue ban will be obeyed before the next fire starts.
