I’m very sorry and concerned to see the spate of fires across Salisbury Plain this week. It is always to be expected that there will be some fires during extremely hot weather, but it is not the case that these are ‘wildfires’ as the risk from the heat has been made worse by the live firing going on. I know these fires have a very real impact on residents.
I have been in touch today with the Minister of State for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin, who has assured me that he is acutely aware of the situation on Salisbury Plain, management of which is a huge responsibility with conflicting pressures. He has again asked the MOD to look at what can be done to mitigate the risk and impact of fires on the training area.
Previously I have spoken with landowners and farmers in the constituency about the current regulations on grazing on Salisbury Plain, as more grazing could reduce the risk of fire. This is something I believe would be a real help to residents and I will continue to explore this in my conversations with local farmers and with Government.
