Critical wildfire warning issued for Ashdown Forest visitors

Visitors to Ashdown Forest must exercise extreme caution as a critical wildfire warning has been issued due to prolonged dry weather and rising summer temperatures.

The East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) and forest countryside officers are urging complete vigilance following a series of recent smaller blazes. This includes a 70-square-metre wildfire on July 8 along Colemans Hatch Road.

Essential Public Safety Restrictions

To protect the historic landscape—famous as the inspiration for the Winnie-the-Pooh stories—the Ashdown Forest management team has highlighted that just a single spark could cause catastrophic damage. Visitors are required to follow these strict rules: 

• No Barbecues: Campfires, stoves, and barbecues of any kind are strictly forbidden.
• No Cigarettes: Do not drop or discard glowing cigarette ends or burning materials on dry ground.
• Pack Out Litter: Take all rubbish home, especially glass bottles, which can magnify sunlight and ignite dry grass.
• Park Cautiously: Avoid parking vehicles over high, dry vegetation, as hot car exhausts can easily start fires. 

Emergency Protoco

If you spot smoke or an active fire while visiting the area:

1. Retreat Immediately: Safely move away from the smoke and vegetation toward a road or car park.
2. Call 999: Report the incident immediately to emergency services. Do not assume someone else has called.
3. Provide exact details: Use landmarks, grid references, or mobile mapping apps like What3Words to help the fire service pinpoint the exact location.
4. Do Not Intervene: Never try to tackle or extinguish a wildfire yourself. 

If you are planning a trip to the area, let me know if you would like:

• Specific parking or trail updates near the Forest Centre.
• The contact information for the Duty Ranger to report safety violations.