Forrestry Commission rules?

aliasojo

In the interests of trying to (re) :rolleyes: bond as a family in a cheap way cos we're skint, lol....we're planning on going off on a mini hike/picnic to one of the local walks that is on Forrestry Commission land.

OH wants to take one of those disposable barbeque tray things but I thought there might be some rule or other that says you cant have fire on their land in case of it sweeping through the forest etc.

Anyone know anything?

brightonman123

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/ may have more info.

aliasojo

Thanks brightonman, I did look there...there is something called the 'forestry code' but it's just the usual stuff about not littering etc.

I'll assume it's not against any rule as if it were, it would probably have been mentioned specifically. I hope.

Paparika

when i have used them, i make sure they are on a flat rock or brick....(you don't want to burn the grass etc). pour water on it when finished and take your rubbish home.

Savvy_Sue

The very first point of the Forest Code is

Guard against all risk of fire

And it goes on to say

Protect trees, plants and wildlife.
Leave things as you find them, take nothing away.
Keep dogs under control.
Avoid damaging buildings, fences, hedges, walls and signs.
Leave no litter.

Now, if your OH can tell me how he's going to light a BBQ without any risk of fire, clear up the mess and take all the remains away afterwards (bearing in mind the coals may still be hot), then I would say no problem, off you go with the lighter fluid. :rotfl:

Honestly, even if there are no signs up forbidding BBQs I am pretty sure they would be distinctly unimpressed. In long periods of hot dry weather (yeah, I know, should be safe at the moment!) I think they ask people not to smoke!

It is POSSIBLE that there are designated picnic areas with proper barbecue sites, out in the open and away from the trees, but please phone and check first!

Tigsteroonie

Hi there,

Firstly, thank you for being so "fire-minded" and actually asking this question before you go. So many people don't understand the danger of a stray spark that can set fire to grassland and then into the forest.

If you are in England or Wales, then the Forestry Commission Byelaws apply:

No person shall in or on the lands of the Commissioners ... light any fire or stove

If you are in Scotland, then the Scottish Outdoor Access Code applies:

Wherever possible, use a stove rather than light an open fire. If you do wish to light an open fire, keep it small, under control ...

Unfortunately this is one of the prime times of the year for forest fires - guys I work with have been out twice recently, and both times the fires were man-made origin (e.g. muir-burning that got out of control). As the vegetation greens up, the fire danger reading will get lower. If you want to know the current Fire Danger reading, you can always phone your local FC Forest District office! They should also have the reading on display at the entrance to forest parks.

Now for the reality - what is the chance of you getting caught by a "jobsworth"? And what is the chance of you having an accident and setting fire to the forest? Only you can answer these questions!

aliasojo

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

The very first point of the Forest Code is

Guard against all risk of fire

:rotfl: I have nooooooo idea how I missed that! It's even in bold!

I must have been looking too hard for the 'barbeque' word iyswim.

Savvy_Sue

aliasojo wrote: »

:rotfl: I have nooooooo idea how I missed that! It's even in bold!

I must have been looking too hard for the 'barbeque' word iyswim.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I did wonder if maybe you hadn't realised that lighting a BBQ could give rise to a risk of fire ...

Clearly you'll dissuade your OH from taking a BBQ, but I should imagine one major problem is that people who do take them, but realise they shouldn't, but light them anyway, will almost certainly abandon them if they realise a FC employee is nearby.

People aren't supposed to use BBQs on the Downs near us, a bye-law which is often flouted. When the police drive by the youngsters involved tend to abandon everything and drift off looking innocent, especially if they're all under-age but in possession of quantities of alcohol. Of course I haven't been involved in this myself, but if there ever was a fire on the Downs I'd be quizzing DS2 about where he was the night before!

PS Should have gone to SpecSavers ...