Full Count

The cows were still split into two groups this morning. The first 19 were spread out across squares P/Q 17 & 18. The second group of 16 were a little further to the west at roughly Q13. All looked to be fine.

Heathland Fires

Hello everyone,

On Wednesday last week I planned to email you all today to let you know that we will soon be entering the heathland fire season any minute now. Unfortunately we had 2 fires on Caesars Camp, 1 on Velmead Common and 2 on Long Valley all within 5 days of each other before i could get chance to warn you all.

Anyway my warning I suppose is still valid especially if the weather stays as it is. Statistically ( and the fire brigade record all incidents that are reported to them) April has the highest number of fires on heathlands throughout the year. the statistics can even pinpoint that the majority of fires occur between the hours of 3pm and 4pm. Obviously this does not mean all fires occur at these times but the majority of them do.

So what does this mean for you?

Firstly take extra care when walking on the heaths at this time of year, especially if it is dry and then is a breeze.

Secondly, ensure that somebody knows where you are, just in case something happens, and more importantly when you expect to be home.

Always try to carry a mobile phone with you. A fire, if reported early, is much much easier to contain and control than if it is left unreported.

Always call 999 if the fire brigade are not present. please do not assume that somebody else must have and more often than not people will not report anything. The fire services will easily be able to tell you with 30 seconds if there are already fire personnel on their way.

Once you have called 999, please give one of the grazing project a ring to let us know there is a fire. We can liaise with the MoD wardens as to how big the fire is and whether the cattle are in danger and so require moving.

Lastly, and most importantly, do not try to tackle the fire yourself. Heathland fires can appear to be very slow and sluggish and seem quite puny but in fact they are stored up energy ready to ignite the next waiting gorse bush and believe you and me gorse goes up like rocket fuel!

So keep your distance, call 999 and then call us.

I hop[e this helps and hope even more that you never need to take any of these actions.

Elliott

Did the hotspots check this morning, all gates and fences intact. Found 19 of the cows including the big horned black and white in S15. Had a look around the tail for the other 16 but no sign, also took a trip up to the top of Caesars camp and surveyed the fire site. Should be interesting to watch the area and see what regrows over the coming months.

Full count

Saturday 11.30, i found the same 19 as Steve and in the same area all grazing and looked o/k. A further 16 were at roughly M21 and again all grazing.

In the Putty Mines

Found a group of 19 including Collar and Horns in the old pit grazing voraciously at about 0915 this morning. All looked very content. Did not come across the remainder though I did pass signs that some had been between there and Caesar's Camp today.

Fire on Caesar's Camp

Hello

A large (5ha) fire started about 3.30pm today.

I went out to check that the cattle were okay and by the time I got there it was all but out. The cattle were all fine, spread out - but heading in the wrong direction! If you do see a fire, please do not try to fight it - call the fire brigade (and us!) and make sure you are safe.

Thanks

Full count

Wednesday 09.30, managed to find all of them today, they were all grazing at M17 and looked o/k.