Birds

Daytrippers caused devastating forest fire by using disposable barbecues

A major forest fire that destroyed 480 acres of protected woodland and killed hundreds of creatures was caused by day-trippers starting a barbecue, it was revealed today.Fire investigators have found the remains of two disposable barbecues amid the blackened landscape of Wareham Forest in Dorset.They say that these discarded items are most likely to have accidentally ignited the tinder-dry forest and heathland that is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and one of the most important in the UK for rare reptiles. Firefighters have discovered two discarded disposable barbecues at the scene of a major fire at Wareham Forest in Dorset The blaze destroyed 480 acres of protected woodland and killed thousands of creatures after breaking out on Monday  At its height, more than 150 firefighters were involved in the effort to battle the blaze over the course of 48 hours A huge area of the special area of scientific interest was destroyed after day trippers left behind their barbecue The blaze erupted on Monday lunchtime due to ‘social activity’ in the forest.The flames were quickly fanned by a strong breeze and rapidly spread across the forest. It was so fierce that at one point it jumped over a public road.More than 150 firefighters spent two days tackling the blaze and have been at the scene all week damping down hot spots.As well as the destruction of vast heathland that is an important habitat for wildlife, thousands of reptiles including grass snakes, adders, lizards and slow worms were killed in the fire.A spokesman for Dorset Fire and Rescue said: ‘Following a fire investigation we now believe the cause
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