'Many years to undo this damage' - Wildlife trust reacts to devastating fire at Oldbury nature reserve
Bosses at Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust said they were “deeply saddened” by the fire.
A wildlife trust which manages a Black Country nature reserve that was devastated by a huge grassland fire has said it “will take many years to undo this damage”.
West Midlands Fire Service said it sent six engines to the blaze yesterday on Portway Hill in Oldbury, which is part of the Rowley Hills and managed by Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust.
Bosses at Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust said they were “deeply saddened” by the fire.
Dan Brown, deputy chief executive of Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust, said: “We are deeply saddened by the fire which impacted the Rowley Hills, including our Portway Hill nature reserve.
“Though our staff and volunteers will work diligently to restore the site for nature, it will take many years to undo this damage.
“We would ask all members of our community to think carefully and cherish our green spaces, as wildfires are a huge risk this summer.
“We’d like to thank West Midlands Fire Brigade for attending the emergency.”
The trust is urging the public to be responsible when visiting outdoor spaces.
People have been urged to follow these guidelines:
- Never light a fire or disposable barbeque in an outdoor space
- Extinguish cigarettes or matches and never throw them onto the ground
- Take litter home because discarded bottles and cans can cause fires
- If you spot smoke or flames, make sure you’re safe and dial 999 immediately
Portway Hill is carefully managed by the trust’s conservation officers throughout the year with the support of dedicated volunteers.
The site is a local stronghold for stunning Marbled White butterflies.
Amongst its rich wildflower meadow bloom scarce plants such as Pyramidal Orchids and Bee Orchids, and there is geology of international importance to be found.
Other sites impacted by wildfire in recent weeks also include Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust’s Moseley Bog & Joy’s Wood nature reserve, and Castle Vale Meadows, which the trust helped to create in 2013.
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