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News

Competition To Raise Awareness Of Heathland Fires

Dorset Fire & Rescue Service is launching a competition to win an iPod Shuffle in order to get young people in the county thinking about the dangers and consequences of heathland fires.

Every year from February onwards there are an increasing number of heath and grass fires.  Last year Dorset Fire and Rescue Service attended over 400 deliberately set heath and grass fires.

Gaynor Pollett, Arson Reduction coordinator for the Service said: “Last year in March we saw one of the most devastating fires on Canford Heath destroying 30 hectares of protected heathland, which is approximately equivalent to 30 full size football pitches.  At the height of the blaze homes had to be evacuated amidst fears the fire would engulf them and over 25 fire engines attended the fire. We are hoping that this competition will raise awareness amongst young people living in Dorset about not only the dangers of heathland fires but the consequences you will face if you start one, arson is a crime.”

There are three different age groups in the competition (5-8 year olds, 9-12 year olds and 13-18 year olds.) and the winner of each group will win an iPod shuffle. The overall winner’s poster from all three age groups will also be used for future heathland campaigns in the county.

To enter individuals must design a poster that in no bigger than A4 which will aim to tell young people about the dangers of deliberately set fires on the heathland. Entries can be sent to Heathland Poster Competition, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, Service Headquarters, Colliton Park, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1FB or left at any of the 18 collection points listed below no later than Friday 16th March 2007. For further information and full rules visit Dorset Fire & Rescue's website  (link opens in new window).

Collection points:

Branksome Library, Broadstone Library, Canford Cliffs Library, Canford Heath Library, Creekmoor Library, Hamworthy Library, Oakdale Library, Parkstone Library, Poole Central Library, Oakmead Technical College, Kings High, Heathlands , Elmrise , Christ the King, Bearwood , St Mark’s School, Rossmore Library

Gaynor Pollett, Arson Reduction Co-ordinator, Dorset Fire & Rescue Service. Tel: 01305 755065 / 01202 844675