Staff and volunteers left devastated after deliberate fires destroy precious wildflower meadows
The 10 “devastating” fires are thought to have been started deliberately
Several fires at a Sheffield nature reserve have destroyed precious wildlife habitat and undone hours of volunteer work.
The 10 “devastating” fires at Carbrook Ravine Nature Reserve near Castlebeck, Manor, are thought to have been started deliberately.
The flames reached neighbouring Richmond Heights open space and some back gardens, causing severe alarm to local residents.
Marta Alfaro-Tirado, nature recovery manager at Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust said: “After seeing the woods where I spent my childhood in Spain recently reduced to nothing, it is very upsetting to be dealing with this here.
"Our team dedicates their time and effort all year round to protect nature reserves for the community to enjoy. Seeing years of hard work burn away in minutes is devastating.”
Marta said countless hours are spent restoring Carbrook Ravine every year.
She said: “We reduce the number of nettles, bracken, docks, ragwort and scrub to ensure the majority of the species are positive indicator species, like yellow rattle, common knapweed, oxeye daisy, common and greater bird's foot trefoil. We litter pick, we cut back encroaching brambles.
“Our volunteers also survey the meadow every three years to assess if the meadows are in good ecological condition and adjust the land management.”
The Wildlife Trust explained wildflower meadows are essential for insects, which in turn feed mammals or birds, but these precious habitats are currently in steep decline across the UK.
Marta said it is difficult to get a wildflower meadow to the point where it can thrive, and now, “all the seeds have been burnt and it's likely that most won't be viable anymore”.
However, she continued: “As there are wildflowers still around the burnt area, with these windy days we are having, those seeds will be blown to the burnt area and hopefully start to grow next spring.
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“Our main focus is to stop these fires from happening again, as if the whole meadow is burnt, the recovery time could take years.”
Marta explained that a small flame can quickly burn of control and put lives, homes and wildlife at risk.
She said: “We ask everyone visiting our green spaces to leave barbecues at home, dispose of cigarettes safely, and call emergency services immediately if they spot smoke.”