'Wildfires are devastating, they destroy everything'

"It was absolutely devastating," farmer Tracy May said of the huge wildfire that destroyed more than 1,000 acres on Dartmoor last May. Speaking about the intense blaze that burnt in Devon for almost 24 hours, May, who is also chair of the Dartmoor Commoners' Council (DCC), said: "Ground-nesting birds, animals with their young - everything - they couldn't get away from the fire." In the last year, steps have been taken on Dartmoor to improve wildfire preparedness, including cutting an additional 25 miles (40km) of firebreaks and creating better access for emergency vehicles. Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service has reported an increase in wildfires in recent years, as the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has warned the risk is on the rise because of climate change. Simon Lee, head ranger at Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA), said: "We are at quite a high level of fire risk. "Wildfires can spread through vegetation very rapidly and cover a very large area. It can permanently damage the ecology of the area, as well as putting people and ground-nesting birds at risk. "We're asking people during these drier months to leave the barbecue at home and picnic instead. "It's also really