Crews continue to tackle ancient woodland fire

Four fire crews are continuing to tackle a fire at an ancient woodland site in Lincolnshire.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue said about 1,000 square metres of grass, undergrowth and woodland at Stapleford Woods, close to the border with Nottinghamshire, were affected.

A spokesperson said the incident had been scaled down, but remained ongoing.

In a social media post on Tuesday, the fire service advised people to avoid the area and to keep doors and windows closed.

In July, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service asked people to think about the risks in hot, dry weather after a spate of wildfires.

David Lynch, head of prevention and protection, said the dry conditions had created big problems for firefighters.

"We're pretty much non-stop at the moment with wildfires of varying sizes, and it looks like it's going to continue for some time," he said.

According to Forestry England, Stapleford Woods, about four miles (6.5km) north-east of Newark, is the largest forest in the area.

There is a 35-year plan in place to remove some of the conifers at the site, introduced to meet the demand for timber after wartime deforestation, with broadleaf woodland.

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