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| David Cameron praises crews tackling heath fires | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The prime minister has praised the fire service for their work in tackling fires which have broken out all across the country. | |
| The hottest April on record, with only 52% of the usual April rainfall, has created tinderbox conditions. | The hottest April on record, with only 52% of the usual April rainfall, has created tinderbox conditions. |
| Weather forecasters say there is little chance of rain before Thursday. | |
| Police are warning they will arrest suspected arsonists, after youths were seen starting fresh fires at Swinley Forest near Crowthorne, Berkshire. | Police are warning they will arrest suspected arsonists, after youths were seen starting fresh fires at Swinley Forest near Crowthorne, Berkshire. |
| Responding to a question from the local Conservative MP, Dr Phillip Lee, Mr Cameron praised firefighters for their work "in this difficult endeavour". | |
| He insisted funds would be made available to pay for the cost of the firefighting operation and told the House of Commons: "There are well tried and tested procedures to make sure that central government stands behind local government when there are excessive costs." | |
| Sixty firefighters in West Yorkshire are at the scene of a massive moor fire near Mytholmroyd. | Sixty firefighters in West Yorkshire are at the scene of a massive moor fire near Mytholmroyd. |
| Twelve engines have been sent and smoke is drifting onto the M62. | Twelve engines have been sent and smoke is drifting onto the M62. |
| Fire crews will spend the day damping down moorland near Halifax. | Fire crews will spend the day damping down moorland near Halifax. |
| In North Yorkshire, a fire is threatening an industrial estate on the outskirts of Thirsk. | In North Yorkshire, a fire is threatening an industrial estate on the outskirts of Thirsk. |
| Roads leading to the scene of the fire remain closed to the public. | Roads leading to the scene of the fire remain closed to the public. |
| Late on Tuesday night, firefighters were called to a heath fire in Wareham Forest, Dorset. | Late on Tuesday night, firefighters were called to a heath fire in Wareham Forest, Dorset. |
| Firefighters are still damping down the area and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said it believed the cause was "malicious". | Firefighters are still damping down the area and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said it believed the cause was "malicious". |
| Moorland in Lancashire has been on fire for six days. | Moorland in Lancashire has been on fire for six days. |
| Nine crews are at a fire near Belmont, near Bolton, and two engines are at another moor fire near Ormskirk. Experts are assessing the environmental impact, and say some areas could take decades to recover. | Nine crews are at a fire near Belmont, near Bolton, and two engines are at another moor fire near Ormskirk. Experts are assessing the environmental impact, and say some areas could take decades to recover. |
| A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "We are hoping it rains, as the land is so dry." | A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "We are hoping it rains, as the land is so dry." |
| In Scotland, a large area of heather and gorse was on fire on the Balmoral Estate, the royal family's home north of the border. | In Scotland, a large area of heather and gorse was on fire on the Balmoral Estate, the royal family's home north of the border. |
| Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service said there was "a continuing severe risk of further fires occurring". | Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service said there was "a continuing severe risk of further fires occurring". |
| In Northern Ireland, there have been fires in County Down, Tyrone and Armagh, several of which are thought to have been started by arsonists. | In Northern Ireland, there have been fires in County Down, Tyrone and Armagh, several of which are thought to have been started by arsonists. |
| NI Water has urged the public to avoid walking in the Mourne Mountains while the dry conditions persist. | NI Water has urged the public to avoid walking in the Mourne Mountains while the dry conditions persist. |
| Water from the Mournes runs into Ben Crom and Silent Valley reservoirs. | Water from the Mournes runs into Ben Crom and Silent Valley reservoirs. |
| 'Ruining scenery' | 'Ruining scenery' |
| Dymphna Gallagher, from NI Water, said: "It is unfortunate that these fires are ruining the beautiful scenery and the quality of raw water flowing into the Silent Valley reservoir. Years of work building up this area have been destroyed in a few short days. | Dymphna Gallagher, from NI Water, said: "It is unfortunate that these fires are ruining the beautiful scenery and the quality of raw water flowing into the Silent Valley reservoir. Years of work building up this area have been destroyed in a few short days. |
| "It will take a long time and a great deal of work and commitment from those involved in preserving the Mournes to return it to the condition it was in." | "It will take a long time and a great deal of work and commitment from those involved in preserving the Mournes to return it to the condition it was in." |
| The Met Office said April was the hottest on record, with many areas of the UK seeing temperatures 3-5C higher than usual. | The Met Office said April was the hottest on record, with many areas of the UK seeing temperatures 3-5C higher than usual. |
| It was the 11th driest April on record. | It was the 11th driest April on record. |
| England and Wales have experienced only 21% of its average monthly rainfall for the month and south-east England has been particularly dry. | England and Wales have experienced only 21% of its average monthly rainfall for the month and south-east England has been particularly dry. |
| But despite the dry weather the Environment Agency said it had no plans to introduce a hosepipe ban this summer. | But despite the dry weather the Environment Agency said it had no plans to introduce a hosepipe ban this summer. |
| A spokesman said: "We encourage people to use water sensibly all the time. Whenever there are dry periods, there is more pressure put on the system. | A spokesman said: "We encourage people to use water sensibly all the time. Whenever there are dry periods, there is more pressure put on the system. |
| "But at the moment, the ground water levels and reservoir levels are relatively high. We feel confident there is enough water to see out spring and summer without restrictions on the public supply." | "But at the moment, the ground water levels and reservoir levels are relatively high. We feel confident there is enough water to see out spring and summer without restrictions on the public supply." |
| Have you been affected by fires in your area? Send us your comments using the form below. | Have you been affected by fires in your area? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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