Is this the future for Chertsey?
There can be no doubt, our climate is changing. The unseasonably warm temperatures of April and May with limitless daylight sunshine followed by a windy June and July to finish off the summer with temperatures exceeding 36c with little to no rainfall. The Met Office website states, ‘Climate change is already having visible effects on the world. The Earth is warming, rainfall patterns are changing, and sea levels are rising. These changes can increase the risk of heatwaves, floods, droughts, and fires.’
One of the good things that came out of lockdown was the decrease in greenhouse gases caused by automobiles, flights and including home heating. Although scientists say that the dramatic drop in gases from March – June will have little impact on warming the planet in the long term, most of us will have seen clearer skis and a fresher air.
What does this mean for Chertsey? Surrey Fire and Rescue Services (SFRS) were certainly tested in August with raging fires on the Meads, Chobham Common and Horsell Common in Woking. It took local residents around the Meads to help beat down the flames with hoses, shovels and whatever they could fine to contain the fire until SFRS were able to arrive.
Kate Drury, who lives near the Meads, commented on the Real Chertsey Chatter, that ‘We (residents) spotted it just after it started and managed to contain the spread until the fire brigade arrived.’ Because of local residents, the fire was more manageable and able to be put on in a few hours. The fate for Chobham Common was not as fortunate. It took SFRS crews nearly 48 hours to stabilise the area with an estimate of 140 hectares of heathland that has been affected and several wildlife that will have perished in the process.
Although, the cause of the fires has yet to be determined, we must remember in dry arid weather, it does not take much for fires to start and travel fast. Within seconds, a smouldering cigarette butt can bring down an entire area. We need to learn lessons from these events and be much more aware in dry hot temperatures, that fires can easily start. We are greatly appreciative to the residents around Chertsey Meads for being alert and brave enough to help control the fire when it started and thank the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service for putting the fire out quickly. The fire service has been hit hard by cuts over the last few years and has always been a vital part of our society. We value the service they provide.
