How your day out could start a wildfire

Small actions, big consequences

What does a dropped bottle, a discarded cigarette and an unattended campfire all have in common? They could spark Surrey's next wildfire.

Summer is a great time to enjoy Surrey’s heaths and commons, but even small actions can have devastating consequences when conditions are hot and dry. So far in 2026, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service has attended 679 outdoor fires, with 192 incidents occurring in July alone. Many of these fires could have been prevented.

Whitmoor Common, Guildford

In the first week of July, firefighters attended two fires at Whitmoor Common, both thought to have been started by discarded glass. Together, they affected around 0.9 hectares of land, equivalent to over two football pitches. Glass left in direct sunlight can focus the sun’s rays onto dry vegetation, generating enough heat to start a fire.

How a wildfire can start

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service’s Wildfire Tactical Advisor and Fire Investigation Officer, Matt Oakley, demonstrates how sunlight shining through discarded glass can ignite dry vegetation in hot, dry conditions.

Chobham Common, Woking

More recently, crews attended a wildfire at Chobham Common on 19 July. While the exact cause could not be confirmed, indicators suggest it may have been linked to an unattended campfire or sunlight reflecting from discarded litter.

Wildfires can spread rapidly, destroying precious habitats, harming wildlife and putting nearby homes and communities at risk. They also require significant resources to bring under control.

No fuel, no risk

Matt explains how firefighters use fire breaks to remove fuel from a fire’s path and help stop flames spreading across the landscape. It provides a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges crews face when tackling wildfires.

Take extra care when out and about

We're urging everyone to take extra care while enjoying Surrey's countryside this summer. If you have young people in your family, please talk to them about the dangers of lighting campfires or bonfires during dry weather. What may seem like a small fire can quickly become a major incident.

If you're heading outdoors:

Take a picnic, not a barbecue.
Never light campfires or bonfires on commons or heathland.
Take your litter home or dispose of it responsibly.
Dispose of cigarettes safely and never drop them on the ground.

By making a few simple choices, we can all help protect Surrey’s countryside and prevent avoidable wildfires this summer.

Keep up to date with the latest wildfire safety advice and follow Surrey Fire and Rescue Service on Facebook and Instagram. You’ll find campaign films, tips to help keep you safe outdoors, and more demonstrations from Matt, showing how easily wildfires can start and spread.