Sefton Council is urging all visitors to the Sefton Coast to act responsibly after firefighters rushed to put out a wildfire on Monday 20th April.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue (MFRS) crews, assisted by staff from the Council’s Green Sefton service, acted quickly to extinguish the fire.
It caused significant damage to part of the Ainsdale/Birkdale Local Nature Reserve. The section of dune land impacted by the blaze is one of the coast’s many homes to colonies of protected reptiles and amphibians, as well as some of the rare flora that contributes to the coastline’s role as a Site of Significant Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The specific cause of the fire has not been confirmed, though fire and rescue reports from coastal fires often trace the cause to discarded cigarettes or disposable barbecues.
Last year, MFRS reported that crews responded to 507 grass and rubbish fires along the coast from 1st March to 10th April 2025 – a staggering rise of over 600% compared to the same period the year before.
In a bid to see a different outcome in 2026, Sefton Council has taken the opportunity to remind visitors of their role in protecting all 22 miles of the Borough’s stunning coastline.
Mark Shaw, Service Manager for Green Sefton, said: “Sadly, it hasn’t taken long after the weather improving for us to see our first wildfire on the coastline. Visitors to the coast can help us ensure that it isn’t repeated.
“Any item that involves the use of fire, from cigarettes and firelighters to portable barbecues, runs the risk of causing an incident if abandoned or left unattended. With that in mind, none of these items should be used anywhere along the coast.
“This restriction is in place to prevent potential harm to people, plants, animals and the land, as well as to save fire and rescue services from responding to needless fires.”
Since 2022, a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) has been in place along the entire Sefton coast, restricting anti-social or dangerous activities, which includes open fires on beaches or the dunes.
Residents and visitors can remind themselves of the PSPO restrictions by visiting www.sefton.gov.uk/coastpspo and reading the signs put up by Green Sefton staff in coastal areas.