The county's Wildfires Group has been set up to establish an immediate response system to deal with blazes which put huge swathes of land and habitats at risk.

Financial backing has come from the Lake District National Park Authority's Sustainable Development Fund. Co-ordinator Clive Wickham said the funding panel was pleased to support worthwhile and potentially lifesaving urgent action procedures for wildfires.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, the county council and Rural Development Initiatives have come up with the scheme.

Clive added: "We are at increasing risk of great fire damage to vast areas, particularly with longer, drier and hotter summers predicted. We obviously need an effective network in place to deal with these very real and dangerous hazards."

With a budget of over £190,000 for this financial year, SDF supports community and environmental projects, particularly if they help counter climate change. In the latest round of grants, one of Britain's rarest butterflies, the high brow fritillary, has seen a £10,000 protection pay-out. Sixty per cent of the remaining UK colonies are found in limestone hills around Morecambe Bay and 11 of the 27 conservation sites are in the Lake District.

Lowick Community Hall, near Ulverston, has been given £13,000 for eco-friendly, energy saving measures. A mountain bike hire and recycled water cycle wash at Whinlatter Forest's new mountain bike trail received £10,000.

Although nearly £50,000 has left the current SDF funding pot, there is still plenty remaining. Clive said applications for cash were coming in thick and fast. Over 400 schemes have been helped to date, with grants ranging from £28,000 to £100.

"We help give that vital kick start to projects that are going to make a difference. We could receive an application one week, give a decision the next and actually hand over the money seven days later."

For further information contact Clive on 01539 792661, email clive.wickham@lake-district.gov.uk