Government alert?!?!

[hotmumshit]

Omg? First use of the government phone alerts, i think??

They've arrested people for arson. Houses don't usually combust so readily.

Yes we need to be careful. They should really ban the sale of disposable barbecues and fireworks rather than giving everyone a heart attack sending out alerts at this late stage.

*How many fields, moors and houses need to burn to ash before it becomes an emergency?

It is an emergency, the fire service is at breaking point in most rural areas and people are still barbecuing in their back gardens and throwing fag ends out of car windows.

Farmers are fighting a bluetongue epidemic and don't need to be racing around putting out fires in crops on top of that.

I don't think people realise how dry it is out there in the countryside!*

I live rurally surrounded by dry fields with constant wildfires breaking out. I need the alert to tell me when my life is in danger. I know full well what is happening out there. The alert was supposed to be for imminent danger.

Got it in welsh.. despite not living in Wales. A bit scary not knowing what it said for a while, until an English one came through later

Well good for you.

But many people (those in Stourbridge for example) are not used to that sort of thing, so a reminder is not a bad thing. I am willing to bet that there are not many people who would think that the suburbs of Birmingham are a wildfire risk.

The fact is that if the government did nothing and there were more fires losing lives or property there would be outcry "Why didnt they use the national alert?! Why didnt they warn people?!" So the government erred on the side of caution

ETA Me Me I I.....

They did

There is a temporary ban on disposable barbecues.

Exactly this, I can’t read with that racket going on

Did they? Sorry I didn't realise I'm sure I've seen disposable barbecues for sale.

Scared the crap out of me! I had my phone in my hands, right in front of my face (typing a response to a goady-arsed post, that has now been removed 😄) so it was mighty loud, and because the siren started before the actual alert popped up I had that split second to think “oh god! Wtf has happened?! War???!!!” Not that my brain is clearly a drama queen or anything 😂

But, in all seriousness, the whole thing is so worrying. We’re not far from one of the areas affected, and last I read (it’s still ongoing, 5 days I think) it said something along the lines of equivalent to 280 football pitches has been burnt, so far. It’s a beautiful area and it’s so sad. Many of those fires were found to be discarded bbqs. I think it’s too little too late to ban them now. Don’t get me wrong, I’m pleased they are, but it should’ve been done much earlier in the summer and much of the destruction may not have happened. And it shouldn’t just be a temporary ban.

I didn’t think my phone volume could be that loud tho! But I’m assuming the test one must’ve been similar.

Not sure the 4 seconds it takes me to translate with circle to search will help there.

But I don't disagree that it isn't the best way to be doing it, I am not saying they shouldn't change. Just giving the options people might not have thought about for this or another type of situation that matches.

I had mine in Welsh! Had no idea what it was all about. Got the English one about 3 mins later. Seems a bit annoying that I can’t opt out of getting Welsh notifications when I hardly speak the language and those Welsh speakers amongst us get a head start!

That’s what the alert message said , if you had read it

I don't get the obsession with nuclear bombs every time something like alert pops up. Really. Come on

It’s not enough.

Ban the fucking things and while they are at it ban fucking fireworks for individual use and fucking Chinese lanterns.

And send anyone who still uses them to prison.

I dunno - there's currently a massive argument on my local Facebook page about whether normal bbqs are ok or not. FFS, just don't light a flame outside. It's really not that hard 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Two alerts on a phone is a call up for staff working within the NHS.

Turn the alerts off because it's the government? Stupidity is now a national pastime.

I agree (although not sure there's room in the prisons). I think a complete ban would have to go through parliament and there isn't time for that so a temporary ban is better than nothing.

What, another one!

They should also be made to pay any costs incurred (NHS fire brigade , towards housing those they displaced) even if it takes the rest of their lives

There are still people being dragged through the courts for breaking daft Covid rules FFS

I didn't get it. I think my blue tooth is off or something. Both my two did, was worrying as we've had two fires here already.

Was this to all the UK or just high risk areas? Im not going to lie im quite worried. I am surrounded by tinder dry fields and there has been fires close to me

Scared me senseless but I think it’s needed; the whole country is like a tinderbox and our fire fighters are massively overstretched.

There are more wildfires than we all realise as they’re not all making the national news. It’s genuinely terrifying. We’ve lost so much already in terms of green space, woodlands and wildlife and now it’s burning down people’s homes.

My view is if you’re having garden fires or using disposable bbqs or fireworks then you’re being a really thoughtless idiot.

It is, 19 families have lost their homes. Farmland is decimated.

They ought to bring them
back, it’s an emergency.

Ans buy some more bunk beds for the prisons.

Hopefully it'll have some impact on stopping fckwit dumbos starting fires (not 'wild') on purpose, and also stop thickos starting bbqs and using any open flames in areas of exceptionally dry tinder. We can hope.