Airbourne visitors to stay vigilant to fire risk in soaring temperatures

Eastbourne Borough Council is urging visitors to the 2026 Airbourne international airshow to remain highly vigilant regarding fire safety as soaring temperatures and prolonged dry weather drastically increase the risk of wildfires.

The council has issued an official warning alongside an Amber Heat Health Alert covering Sussex, with regional temperatures expected to climb significantly. Following recent, destructive downland blazes on the nearby South Downs, emergency services stress that conditions are exceptionally dry. 

Essential Public Guidance

Visitors attending the airshow along the seafront or exploring the surrounding countryside are being instructed to take basic, actionable precautions to prevent accidental grass fires: 

• No Open Flames: Avoid utilizing disposable barbecues or lighting any campfires in parks, fields, or open public spaces.
• Stub Out Cigarettes: Fully extinguish and responsibly dispose of all smoking materials. Never discard them on the ground or out of vehicle windows. 
• Take Litter Home: Carry all rubbish back with you. Glass bottles must never be left behind, as they can act like a magnifying glass and focus sunlight to ignite dry grass. 
• Avoid Dry Grass Parking: Do not park vehicles over long, dry vegetation, as hot exhaust pipes can easily spark a wildfire. 

What to Do If You See Smoke or Fire

• Get to safety immediately and do not attempt to fight the flames yourself.
• Call 999 straight away to alert the East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.
• Provide an exact location using landmarks, road names, or the What3Words App to help emergency crews pinpoint the incident faster. 

Heat Health Precautions

With public services like the South East Coast Ambulance Service under intense pressure, visitors should also take basic steps to avoid heatstroke: 

• Drink large amounts of water.
• Apply sunscreen frequently.
• Wear a hat and stay in the shade during peak afternoon heat. [1]