DORSET firefighters have seen a staggering increase in the number of open fires attended this year compared to last.

In July this year, crews from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service attended 339 fires in the open. This is a massive 182 per cent increase to the 120 fires attended in the same month last year.

The service also reported a 30 per cent increase in calls reported by fire control during the same time frame.

Last month, firefighters attended open blazes in the likes of Throop, the cliffside at Boscombe Pier and Brownsea Island.

Group manager Dave Waters said: “The lack of rain means the ground is really dry, and any fire will spread even more quickly than usual as a result.

“The risk is as great in your garden as it is on a heathland but taking extra care, and perhaps doing things a bit differently to usual, can make a huge difference to staying safe.”

Visit dwfire.org.uk/safety-outdoors for more information.