Published: August 4, 2026
Protect Exmoor: Help Prevent Moorland Fires
Please do not discard cigarettes, matches, or smoking materials on the moor. Even a small spark can ignite dry grass, heather, and vegetation, causing serious wildfires that threaten wildlife, livestock, property, and people.
Disposable barbecues, fire pits, campfires, and any open flames should not be used on the moor. Conditions can change quickly, and fires can spread rapidly across open countryside.
You can help keep Exmoor safe by:
- Taking all litter home with you.
- Fully extinguishing and safely disposing of smoking materials.
- Not using barbecues, campfires, or open flames.
- Reporting any signs of fire immediately by calling 999 and asking for the Fire Service.
Discarding cigarettes, lighting campfires, or using disposable BBQs on Exmoor can have serious consequences. If your actions cause a fire, you may face prosecution, substantial fines, and in the most serious cases a prison sentence. Landowners and emergency services may also seek to recover costs where appropriate. Wildfires can destroy wildlife habitats, endanger livestock, damage property, and put lives at risk.
Think before you light it. Dropped cigarettes, disposable BBQs, and open flames can start devastating moorland fires. Those responsible may face prosecution, fines, or imprisonment if their actions cause a wildfire. Help protect Exmoor, its wildlife, and local communities.
The official fire safety guidance for England advises people to properly dispose of cigarettes and only use barbecues in designated areas, as fires on grassland, heathland, and moorland can spread rapidly.
Enjoy Exmoor responsibly and help protect this special landscape for everyone.
Avon and Somerset Constabulary