A furze fire that came dangerously close to the desalination plant yesterday was brought under control thanks to the swift response of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service, protecting the site, neighbouring properties and the surrounding area.
This incident was certainly a very close call and a stark reminder of the risks posed by wildfire. The desalination plant is a vital part of Jersey’s drought response. Had it been damaged, we would have lost critical resilience for the Island’s water supply during prolonged dry periods.
Water resources are already under pressure following an exceptionally hot and dry summer, and the plant may yet be needed to replenish supplies. Thankfully there wasn’t any operational impact.
The blaze highlights that, despite recent rainfall, ground conditions remain extremely dry, and the risk of wildfire is still high. We urge everyone to take extra care and avoid any activities that could start a fire.
We’re extremely grateful to Jersey Fire and Rescue Service, our own teams and members of the public for acting so quickly to help protect this critical part of our water supply infrastructure.
