Crews return to tackle major woodland fire

Fire crews have spent the night battling a large blaze in an area of woodland in Nottinghamshire.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to a fire at Strawberry Hill Heath in Rainworth on Saturday afternoon, at its height there were 12 crews in attendance, with about nine acres of land affected.

Also deployed were the joint police and fire drone team, and a specialist wildfire vehicle.

After being reduced overnight, eight appliances returned to the scene on Sunday morning, but a fire service spokesman said the flames had been contained and the incident was under control.

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

Strawberry Hill Heath is a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to it being one of the last areas of heathland which once dominated parts of Sherwood Forest.

There have been several wildfires at the location this summer, including a large fire in July, and a smaller one, just three days ago.

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 12.3 acres of grass and forest land in Meden Vale on Tuesday, and a fire in Sneinton on Thursday.

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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