Extreme fire risk means open access is suspended, but paths and bridleways are still open.
Open Access in the Peak District has been
temporarily suspended to help prevent the risk of moorland fires,
but people are still free to use public rights of way like footpaths
and bridleways.
The measures have been taken after the warmest April on record
with the Met Office's fire hazard forecast reaching "extreme",
however the Peak Park Authority stresses that the Peak District is
emphatically not closed with some 2,200km of rights of way fully
open.
Climbers are still allowed to use Stanage Edge, the Roaches and
Burbage Edge, as long as they only use public paths to get there and
keep off the moorland.
There are signs at moorland access points telling walkers about
the temporary suspension which the Authority expects to be lifted
towards the end of this week, as soon as the fire risk subsides,
though with a dry weekend forecast, that seems a tad unlikely.
People are being asked not to smoke, light naked flames or have
barbecues anywhere near moorland areas and higher-risk locations are
being patrolled by rangers with binoculars, maps, two-way radios and
mobile phones to convey accurate information to fire control rooms if
needed.
Head Ranger, Sean Prendergast, explains: "A fire will only break
out if somebody starts it, either through carelessness or a
deliberate act of malice.
"We want to appeal to people to take extra care not to smoke or
light fires in the area, or even throw cigarette butts out of
car-windows. It only takes a spark to cause a devastating blaze, from
which the moorland habitats and wildlife take years to recover."
More Peak Park information at
www.peakdistrict.org
