A FRESH fire safety warning has been issued for people visiting the North Yorks Moors over concerns of continued dry weather.

The North York Moors National Park Authority issued the immediate warning on Thursday, September 19, with staff erecting warning signs on moorland sites at the highest risk of fire.

Earlier this year a large part of Guisborough Woods was devastated by fire, which continued to burn for several hours.

Senior Ranger, Bernie McLinden, said: “People are asked to avoid lighting fires and BBQs and not to discard cigarettes, matches or glass bottles, including throwing cigarette ends out of car windows."

Mr McLinden said Moorland fires were able to spread extremely quickly, causing significant damage to the area.

He added: "It is not unprecedented for fires to occur at this time and the majority of moorland fires can be prevented so we would urge people to take extra care when visiting the National Park while the fire risk signs are in place.”

Anyone that witnesses a fire is urged to report it quickly to the fire service by dialling 999.

As the controlled heather burning period for gamekeepers has ended, any fire spotted will be a wildfire and should be reported.

  • The warnings are expected to continue over this weekend.