Nature reserve: Selsdon Wood is home to a rich variety of wildlife. But there are fears that some people are putting that all at risk
‘It breaks my heart’ says volunteer conservationist over fears people might be starting fires in an ancient woodland in the heatwave
With the heatwave set to see temperatures soar above 30 degrees again, and a hosepipe ban in force after a drought that has lasted more than two months, there have still been reports of people suspected of starting fires in a local nature reserve.
An “angry” appeal has been published on social media, placed by David Debenham, the chair of the Friends of Selsdon Woods group.
“Selfish people” was among the more polite comments on the fire-starters, who risk being the cause of a wildfire in the woodland which is tinder-dry after weeks without rain.
Selsdon Wood is a 200-acre protected ancient woodland off Old Farleigh Road that links Croydon’s suburbia to the Surrey countryside. It is owned by the National Trust.
Hosing down: firefighters dealing with the grass fire in Wandle Park on Sunday, which left nearly three acres charred
The LFB responded to more than 1,300 call outs over last weekend, including many grass fires. It took a team of firefighters more than an hour to stop a grass fire from spreading across Wandle Park on Sunday.
And yet…
“I’m so angry to say people are lighting fires in Selsdon Wood – and we all have a duty to put a stop to it right now,” Debenham wrote on the Friends of Selsdon Woods’ Facebook page.
“This place is so special to so many of us. It’s where we walk our dog, where we go to breathe and switch off, where we take our childdren and grandchildren. It’s home to owls, bats, deer, ancient trees, wild flowers, all the things that make this corner of Croydon feel like ours.
“Every reckless fire puts all of that at risk.
“It puts you at risk – anyone out walking, people living nearby, and the firefighters who have to drop everything to come out here.
National Trust land: Selsdon Wood’s area of nature reserve stretches over 200 acres
“It’s dangerous, it’s selfish and it breaks my heart to see it happening somewhere we all love.”
Debenham calls on other Friends and the public to act if they see anything which they think looks suspicious.
- If you see anything that looks like it’s been left to start a fire – piles of dry stuff, rags, anything flammable – please report it. Tell police on 101 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111. And let Friends of Selsdon Wood know
- If you know who’s doing this, or even just have a hunch – tell the police. We just need it to end
- If you see a fire, call the Fire Brigade straight away on 999 and please tell them the What3Words location so they can find it fast
- Don’t try to tackle it yourself
Read more: ‘Create firebreaks around your homes’ warning from Brigade
Read more: Large sections of Croham Hurst left scarred after day-long fires
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