A PLEA has been issued for visitors to “think carefully” after a fire took hold on the Malvern Hills.
A councillor and Malvern Hills Trust staff have said they are “devastated” after the fire, which took place at Happy Valley on Saturday afternoon (May 2).
Footage showed flames rising from the hillside and firefighters working to get it under control.
The cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.
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On Sunday (May 3), a spokesperson said that four fire engines, two off-road vehicles and a water carrier were sent to the scene and that the fire eventually involved two hectares of hillside.
The Malvern Hills Trust, which is responsible for maintaining the hills, said members of the public quickly alerted them to the fire.
It confirmed that no people or livestock had been hurt but that approximately an acre of grass, trees and undergrowth had been blackened.
Trust CEO Deborah Fox said it was lucky that cows had been on the other side of the hill at the time.
While the cause of the fire is unconfirmed, she has urged visitors not to take barbecues on the hills.
“Trust chair John Michael and I want to thank the crew at Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service for containing the fire and putting it out,” she said.
“It would have spread rapidly, given the dry spell of weather we’ve had.
“It is devastating to think that this is the season of ground nesting birds.
“We do not want to speculate about the cause of the fire at this time and wait to hear the results of an investigation into its cause.
“Regardless of the cause of this fire, I would urge anyone thinking of bringing a portable barbecue to the Malvern Hills and Commons to bring a picnic instead and to think carefully before disposing of cigarette ends.”
Councillor Natalie McVey, who represents Malvern Trinity on Worcestershire County Council, said she was “devastated” to see the damage caused to one of her “happy places”.
She has urged people to “act responsibly” when visiting the hills.
“I love to spend time in the Malvern Hills, walking as often as I can in what I describe as one of my happy places, so I was devastated to see that the damage caused to Happy Valley by a wildfire at the weekend, which destroyed vital habitat.
“Thankfully, fire crews acted quickly to minimise the extent of the damage.
“The UK is fast becoming one of the most nature depleted environments in the world, with 16 per cent of our species now threatened with extinction.
“Nature is already under increasing pressure from habitat loss, fragmentation, climate change and pollution.
“We don’t yet know what caused the fire, but we can all do our bit to ensure that wildfires do not break out.
“Leave the hills as you find them.
“Do not use temporary barbecues, discard cigarette butts or leave litter behind. Please act responsibly.”