CALLS have been made for better management of heaths in Dorset following the fire at Canford Heath last weekend.
Sandra Moore, Liberal Democrats councillor for Canford Heath, said she will be asking officers dealing with the heaths for better tree management, more maintenance of the firebreaks and regular heathland patrols.
Read more: CCTV shows how close fire came to houses
Cllr Moore added there needs to be a higher budget from the council to repair burnt-down fences.
The fire on Saturday tore across land at the beauty spot, devastating the land and killing some rare wildlife.
She said: “The fire took out the fences and the signage attached to it but unfortunately there is not enough budget in the council to repair everything.
“Part of the problem is there is never enough budget to fix all the problems.
Read more: Fourth Dorset heath fire in a week caused by 'discarded cigarette'
“Since the lockdown, people have started using heaths.
“We didn’t all have to go out to work, and people noticed the heaths were just on their doorstep and they went up there and realised how lovely it was.
“People used the signage to guide their way through, but it has all gone now because of the fire."
Cllr Moore also said the council needs to make sure all fire hydrants are accessible. She said: “One of the problems from the last fire was whether the fire brigade could get the fire hydrants.
“We had to put in some extra double yellow lines just last year in Steeple Close.
“This is the thing we need to look at: where the fire hydrants are and can the emergency services access it. That is something I will be asking when I get the opportunity."
Since the fire, volunteers have been busy working on the burnt land, looking for signs of surviving wildlife, removing dead animals and aiding in the first few steps of recovery.
“People are also asking me about volunteering to help recover the heaths,” Cllr Moore added.
“There is now a fundraiser set up by Bournemouth Parks Foundation.
“One thing the fire will do is raise awareness. Sometimes out of these bad things, good will come.”
Experts say the heaths could take up to 15 years to make a full recovery.
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