Each winter we cut nearly 20 miles of fire defendable lines or access routes on the heathland.

In liaison with Natural England, we assess where the lines should be cut on each site.

The lines assist Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue by:

• reducing the damage done by heathland fires
• reducing the risk of damage to neighbouring properties
• increasing the safety of fire crews when fighting a fire by providing access by foot or vehicle.

Fire defendable lines range from 1.5m in width, where vegetation is cut along footpaths, to 3m in width along tracks to provide fire access routes.

Wider cuts are also made beside property lines where a house (not boundary) wall is close to if not actually next to the site.

Close to property lines or on main fire access routes, we sometimes need to reduce the height of growth next to the fire defendable lines. So, gorse or trees sometimes must be cut if they’re too tall.

Wherever possible we ensure that wildlife benefits from fire management. Short vegetation can encourage:

• basking reptiles
• opportunities for ground nesting birds away from paths
• egg laying on bare sand for reptile and invertebrate species.