Wildfire comes dangerously close to Jersey desalination plant

A large field fire in Corbiere came dangerously close to Jersey's desalination plant, prompting renewed warnings about the risk of wildfires during the island's current dry spell.

Jersey Water said the incident, which was tackled by Jersey Fire Service on Monday, demonstrated the potential threat wildfires pose to the island's water infrastructure.

The desalination plant converts seawater into drinking water and plays an important role in maintaining Jersey's water supply during extended periods of dry weather.

The company said damage to the facility would have resulted in the loss of "critical resilience" at a time when water resources could already be under pressure.

Jersey Water thanked firefighters, its own staff and members of the public for responding quickly and helping to protect the plant.

According to Jersey Fire Service, 18 firefighters attended after a bonfire in a dry field was spread by strong winds.

The service has urged islanders not to light fires in the open while conditions remain "very dry".

Jersey Water has backed that advice, asking people to exercise extra caution and avoid activities that could cause a fire to start or spread.

A company spokesperson said the incident had been "a very close call" and underlined the dangers posed by wildfires.

"The desalination plant is a vital part of Jersey's drought response," the spokesperson said.

"Had it been damaged, we would have lost critical resilience for the island's water supply during prolonged dry periods."