Keeping our countryside safe from fire during heatwave
Graffham and East Lavington Parish Councils have been liaising with other local authorities about the risk of wildfires during the current drought, which has turned much of the countryside in and around our village into a potential tinderbox.
Published: 24 July 2026
The two parish councils have written to the SDNPA asking how it was planning to protect the landscape from the risk of wild fires, raising concerns in particular over cleared rhododendrons
In a letter to the SDNPA’s Chief Executive Siôn McGeever and Chairman Vanessa Rowlands, they warned that “one spark is all it would take to ignite this vast area.”
While at Singleton “there are various contingency plans in place” they pointed out: “The fire break around the site is only minimal with large mature conifer plantations overlapping and breaching the area.
“As nearby parishes, we see an uncontrollable wild fire threat, with a methane-enriched atmosphere” from vents and leaks.
Regarding Duncton Common’s cleared rhododendrons, they stated: “In the dry conditions, this practice of leaving the branches to rot does not seem to us sensible and we would appreciate you as the authority raising this with the (land owner) Leconfield Estate.”
Graffham Parish Council will provide a full report on the outcomes and actions being taken as a result of its activity will be given at its meeting on Wednesday 9 September at 6.30pm at the Pavilion.
How you can reduce the risk to our community
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service has warned that even small heat sources, such as discarded cigarettes or a spark from a campfire, can develop into significant incidents that spread rapidly, especially during the hot, dry and windy weather we have experienced for much of the summer.
The sale of disposable barbeques was banned by the government on Friday 14 August – while the use of any barbeque on heathlands or open countryside in the South Downs National Park was already prohibited by the park authority.
Besides not using disposable barbecues in the countryside or on areas of dry grass, the Fire Service urges us all to:
- Not light campfires or other flames in open spaces.
- Not light fireworks.
- Properly extinguish and dispose of any smoking materials.
- Take litter home, especially glass bottles which can focus sunlight and start a fire.
- Not park vehicles on dry grass.
- Report fires or signs of fire immediately by calling 999.