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  "description": "Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is calling on the public for urgent support as\nthe county faces record June temperatures.",
  "path": "/urgent-plea-for-donations-as-fire-risk-soars-with-temperatures/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-25T10:28:36.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "Get Instant Updates"
  ],
  "textContent": "With the heatwave comes heightened risk of fires on the Trust’s nature reserves.\nFire damage to these irreplaceable habitats threaten the precious wildlife that\ndepend on them, as well as our local communities.\n\nThe plea follows a near miss incident at The Roaches on Monday 22 June.\nThankfully Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) were quick on the scene to extinguish the blaze. With bird nesting season at its peak, this fire could have easily devastated breeding curlew, meadow pipits and birds of prey.\n\nJeff Sim, Head of Nature Reserves, said:\n\n> “Looking over the fire site this morning, we see some encouraging signs. The fire caused minimal damage where the sphagnum moss plants are well established in the vegetation as they’ve kept the ground wet.\n\n> “Help us protect these irreplicable habitats by donating to our appeal. As\n> temperatures rise, so does the fire risk. It costs us time and money to respond when disaster strikes. Your donation will help fund our fire prevention work, as well as restoration work in the aftermath of fires.\n\n> “Your contribution will help us rewet more peat and fund equipment to help us reduce the risk of fires spreading. Help us protect these irreplaceable habitats which our wildlife needs to survive.”\n\nThe Roaches and the surrounding moorlands are home to many ground-nesting\nbirds such as curlew, meadow pipits and lapwings, as well as special plants including bog asphodel and sphagnum moss.\n\nFires can tear through fragile moorland in a matter of minutes, destroying years of\ncareful conservation work in its wake. They leave wildlife without shelter, food or\nbreeding grounds. Recovery can take decades, even with the intervention and\ndedicated restoration work of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.\n\n> “Remember it is against the law to start any fires in open countryside in the\n> Staffordshire Moorlands - this includes sky lanterns and fireworks. If anyone sees any smoke in the countryside please dial 999 immediately and ask for the fire service.”\n\nDonations will fund essential work, including fire prevention measures, habitat\nrestoration, and ongoing care for vulnerable sites.\n\nLonger, hotter summers are increasing the risk of severe moorland fires, making\nurgent action more critical than ever.\n\nPeople are being urged to act now and donate.\n\nSupport will help to:\n Create and maintain firebreaks to slow or stop the spread of fires\n Restore damaged habitats and rewet peat so wildlife can return\n Support volunteers and conservation staff on the ground\n Raise awareness to help prevent fires before they start.\n\nTo donate and support the appeal, visit:\n\nwww.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/summer-appeal-2026 or call 01889 880100.\n\nEvery donation will help to protect and restore Staffordshire’s wild places.\n\nFire at The Roaches on Monday 22 June.\n\n### Join The Staffordshire Signal on WhatsApp\n\nNever miss a single breaking update, local news story, community event, or deep dive. See everything happening in Staffordshire first, straight to your phone!\n\n\nGet Instant Updates\n\n\n\nExplore the heart of our county Use the interactive map above to discover local landmarks, heritage sites, and community-vetted spots. Every interaction helps support **The Staffordshire Signal’s** mission to keep local news free and independent.\n\n####  Enjoyed this story?\n\nThe Staffordshire Signal is a not-for-profit, community-funded publication. Every tip helps keep local journalism free, independent, and focused on the stories that matter across Staffordshire.\n\nEvery contribution supports reporting, photography, and storytelling across the county.\n\nSupport independent local journalism by selecting ****The Staffordshire Signal**** as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google. Help us stay front-and-centre in your news feed.",
  "title": "Urgent Plea for Donations as Fire Risk Soars with Temperatures",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-25T10:28:38.092Z"
}