Multiple fire crews tackle large woodland fire

Firefighters are tackling a large fire in an area of woodland in Nottinghamshire.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said on Saturday afternoon that there was a fire in the open at Strawberry Hill Heath in Rainworth, near Mansfield, and "a large area of woodland and shrubbery" was alight.

At its height there were 12 crews in attendance, a spokesperson for the fire service said, and this included support from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, as well as the joint police and fire drone team.

People have been asked to avoid the area, and local residents should keep doors and windows closed, if they are affected by the smoke, the spokesperson added.

On Saturday evening, the fire service said "because of the size, location and nature of the fire, we expect to be on scene for many more hours, possibly including tomorrow".

It is one of a number of outdoor fires in Nottinghamshire this week alone, including a field fire in Church Warsop on Monday, a fire on 50,000 sq m (12.3 acres) of grass and forest land in Meden Vale on Tuesday, and a fire in Sneinton on Thursday.

Meanwhile, there was another large woodland fire also at Strawberry Hill Heath in July.

The fires come as an extremely dry spell continues across much of England and Wales, with July being recorded as the driest since Met Office records began 190 years ago.

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