A BIZARRE spate of arson incidents could have ended in disaster last week as a caravan was dragged into a forest and set alight on two separate occasions. 

The fire severely burnt a nearby tree which under drier conditions could have set the whole forest alight, say woodland experts.

Walkers in Canonteign Forest in the Teign Valley were shocked to come across the burnt-out wreck which had severely scorched a tree last month. 

Walkers enjoying the forest were even more shocked around a week later when they stumbled upon another burnt out caravan in the exact same spot. 

Teign Valley forester and sawmiller, Mike Gardener, said the woodland was saved owing partly to our wet summer.

‘It’s a massive risk’ he said. ‘Just look at what’s happening in Canada. The only reason a similar thing didn’t happen here is that it’s been raining heavily and there’s still plenty of greenery. If this had happened in spring or autumn, it could have been a different story.’

Mike continued: ‘With forest fires you need fuel, once a tree scorches and it reaches the canopy… well then you have a massive fire on your hands.’

According to concerned forester Mike, our damp summer may have been a contributing factor in preventing a catastrophe.

A spokesman for the Forestry Commision said: ‘Fortunately, this fire did not spread, but forest fires can be devastating, as happened at Wareham Forest last year when a fire believed to be caused by disposable BBQs, burned 220 hectares of woodland and heath habitat. ‘This is why we ask all our visitors not to light fires or barbeques in the forest.

Even after spells of rain, conditions can remain very dry and heat can travel underground, popping up as ‘hot spots’ in other locations.

Forester Mike agreed, he added: ‘Disposable barbecues are a massive risk in this area too.’

District councillor for the Teign Valley, Stephen Purser was perplexed by the move. He said: ‘I wondered if the caravan was stolen and – if you’ll excuse the pun – became too hot to handle.’

Cllr Purser said he couldn’t understand why someone would drag a caravan all the way up there just to burn it.

He explained further: ‘I don’t know what condition the caravan was in, but it must have been towable to get there in the first place.

These days you can advertise anything for free online and someone will collect it. If they were that lazy, why not just dump it in a car park or something.

‘I know loads of farmers who would love a half decent caravan to keep chickens in or something.

After the arsonist(s) struck twice in the same spot, Cllr Purser, expressed concern that if they were to turn up for a third time, the conditions could be ripe for a forest fire .

‘It could easily have been a major blaze. That’s the real worry, the fact it’s twice in the same place, this could be catastrophic a third time.’

Cllr Purser added: ‘We had fires on the moor earlier this year, and we saw how fast they spread.’