Vehicles to boost wildfires fight

The vehicles have a 200-litre water tank

Fire crews in Cumbria have been given more equipment in their work to tackle blazes in the countryside.

A fleet of eight specially-modified vehicles is being handed over to Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.

It is part of a drive to put the county at the forefront of tackling wildfires and to cut the risks to the landscape.

The vehicles are equipped with a system similar to a pressure washer and 200-litre water tanks. Firefighters will have new hand tools and beaters.

The first of the vehicles will be based at Silloth and Sedbergh and others will be at Ambleside, Appleby, Millom, Windermere, Grange-over-Sands and Keswick.

Increasing threat

There is often limited water supply in rural areas and so additional 600-litre water trailers will be at Sedbergh, Silloth, Grange and Keswick and a 7,500 litre water tanker will be based at Penrith.

The wildfire teams will have specialised protective equipment, a range of new hand tools, beaters, water backpacks and a flat hose system for efficient use of limited water resources.

John Moorcroft, Cumbria's deputy chief fire officer, said: "The threat of wildfires is continually increasing due to global warming and the greater recreational use of rural countryside areas across the county.

"These new vehicles will make a real difference to how our team tackles wildfires in the county.

"The fogging system combined with the Land Rovers' off-road capability provides a powerful new tool for suppressing wildfires."

The team has used the experience of firefighters in other countries to enhance its skills.