Countryfile legend John Craven, 85, worried amid ‘threat’

Mr Craven, 85, has presented the popular BBC rural affairs show for 37 years having started in 1989.

Prior to that, he had a 17-year stint on Newsround having launched it on the BBC in 1972.

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Away from TV, Mr Craven lives in a village near Banbury with his wife where the couple brought up two daughters.

Now, in a comment piece for Countryfile Magazine, he has provided advice about how the public can stop wildfires.

He added that the recent massive blaze in the Cairngorms National Park was “worrying confirmation” of the “growing threat” posed by wildfires to people and nature.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham (Image: Jack Taylor/PA Wire)

Last year broke all records for wildfire damage, according to Mr Craven, with almost 48,000 hectares being torched, the equivalent to 120,000 football pitches.

As of August 10 this year reportedly wildfires have already burned through over 23,000 hectares.

Speaking about what the public can do, the Countryfile legend said that if anyone sees wildfires, they should call 999 immediately and keep a safe distance themselves.

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In addition, he made clear that often its members of the public that start fires.

He said: “While the elements provide the tinderbox, it’s often people who provide the spark by throwing a cigarette butt, starting a campfire, using a disposable barbecue, or discarding a glass bottle that intensifies beams of sunlight.”

Indeed, concerns around this led prime minister Andy Burnham to sanction a controversial special national alert on Friday, August 17.

Appearing on all phones, it reported a “very high risk of wildfires nationally” and encouraged people not to use disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators or fireworks.