03/05/19 - Skipwith Common NNR fire damage

Recently, on the evening of Monday 15^th April, fire crews from Selby, Acomb, Tadcaster, Huntington and York were called to Skipwith Common NNR at 16:58pm, to tackle a fire which had broken out on the main heathland in front of the bomb bay viewing area. The quick and excellent response from the fire services, aided by staff from Escrick Park Estate and our own team, saved the site from extensive damage. 

The fire was fuelled by the tinder dry grass and heather, and further encouraged by strong and gusting winds. In total approximately 40,000 square metres of the most mature heather on site has been lost, with damage also to fencing, stock handling equipment and the easy access viewing platform over-looking the heath. The morning after the fire our team returned to dampen down smouldering hot spots to prevent further flare ups, and have returned over recent weeks to start replacing fence posts, and area and stock pens to make the heath stock proof. 

We’ve also been busy with our volunteers repairing damage to the post and rail fencing by the viewing area, and the burnt section of the viewing platform. Many thanks to everyone involved for their great efforts in responding directly to the fire itself, but also with the tidy up and repairs - a great team effort. Whilst it was sad to see we had lost some snakes, frogs and a Teal’s nest in the blaze, it should hopefully be a relatively short-term loss.