With temperatures warming up again this week, the public is being urged to keep away from areas affected by wildfires and to do their part to help prevent further incidents.
Staffordshire County Council's countryside officers are still working around the clock to damp down hotspots at Sherbrook Valley, just off Chase Road in Cannock, after a second wildfire ripped through a large area of heathland.
The fire, which happened last Wednesday, destroyed around 21 football pitches of heathland habitats, killing lots of wildlife in its wake. It is not yet known what caused this latest fire but it will take many years for the area to recover.
Overstretched fire crews have now left the site but the public has been asked to avoid the area while the county council's rangers continue to damp down the ground to prevent reignition.
With temperatures expected to reach 34C this week, the wildfire risk continues to be exceptionally high for Staffordshire's countryside.
The public is being reminded to do their part to help prevent further wildfires by not using barbecues, campfires and cigarettes in country parks, or littering.
Hayley Coles, Staffordshire County Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, said:
"Emergency services have been dealing with a large volume of wildfires across the county recently due to the hot and dry conditions we've been having.
"Sadly, some of those wildfires have happened at our country parks – including a devastating blaze that destroyed around 15 hectares of heathland in Cannock Chase.
"We're pleading the public to take extra care this week. You can do your part to help prevent further fires by not lighting open flames in the countryside and taking all litter home with you."
Firefighters were also called to Chasewater Country Park over the weekend. The service has reported tackling double the number of outdoor fires over the last month compared to the same period last year.
Hayley Coles added:
"I want to say a huge thank you to the fire service for all their efforts over the last couple of weeks. I also want to thank our countryside team and our friends at The National Trust, SAC Partnership, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and the National Farmers Union, who have all worked flat out to support firefighters with containing the blaze and damping down areas.
"Please continue to avoid the fire site in Sherbook Valley and respect the Chase Road closures that are in place for everyone's safety, while the wildfire risk remains high."
