Raging orange blazes have torn through Scotland, South East England and the West Midlands as witnesses warn the wildfires are ‘spreading rapidly’ with grey smoke visible from miles away.
Firefighters rushed to the scene of a gorse fire in a nature reserve in Calshot Marsh, Hampshire, just before 7pm today as the flames spread behind a row of beach huts.
No more than two hours later, officers in Aberdeen were also mobilised as they were called to Tullos Hill in the Torry area of the city at about 8.55pm.
The fire had taken hold of much of the hill, with its smoke seen from miles way.
Images show pummels of smoke billowing above the inferno behind street lamps and a row of houses.
It came an hour after fire broke out in Gentleshaw Common near Burntwood, Staffordshire at around 8pm today.
Snaps show a huge blaze has lit up the night sky in orange in the West Midlands county as crews tackle the flames.
Staffordshire Fire Service says it has sent out six appliances to fight what it has described as a wildfire.
Fire broke out in Gentleshaw Common near Burntwood, Staffordshire at around 8pm today
Snaps show a huge blaze has lit up the night sky in orange in the West Midlands county as crews tackle the flames
Staffordshire Fire Service says it has sent out six appliances to fight what it has described as a wildfire
The Mirror reports that eyewitness Shellie Shakespeare said: ‘Unfortunately the wind is carrying it, and it is spreading rapidly. And unfortunately due to us not having any rain up there for a bit everything is dry up there, so that wouldn’t help with the spread of the fire either.
‘There are lots of crews trying to tackle the fire trying to access it from Common Side and Chorley Road.’
The fire is understood to be dry grass that has gone up in flames prompting considerable concern for the wildlife that will have been affected.
A woman posted on Facebook: ‘This is heartbreaking. It’s bird nesting season and this will be absolutely devastating. The common is also an area of special scientific interest for the amount of bees.
‘I hope whoever has done this. and it wasn’t warm enough for this to be natural, understands the implications of what they have done. Staffordshire Wildlife Trust also maintains the land and are a charity who will be hit so hard by this, they spend hours maintaining this place for us to enjoy.’
A spokesman for Staffordshire Fire Control told BirminghamLive: ‘It’s a wild fire, just grass. We have had quite a lot of calls to it. We have been there for an hour. Our first call was 8 o’clock. We have got six appliances there. But it’s just grass on the common.’
The Met Office has warned of the threat of wildfires around the country this week due to an unusually dry March and a warm spell this week.
A wildlife expert said Heathlands damaged by wildfires could take up to five years to recover.
Images of the blaze in Hampshire show the wildfire is visible at multiple points across the coast.
The marsh is part of the village of Calshot which sits on the edge of the Solent, a 20 mile stretch of water between the mainland UK and the Isle of Wight.
The blaze can be seen from as far away as Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, which is 3.5 miles from Calshot beach.
It is understood firefighters are investigating whether the fire was started deliberately.
The probe comes amid ‘extreme warnings’ to the public to avoid lighting any fires outdoor until next week some areas of the UK.
Fighters in Hampshire managed to cut the flames, which spread behind a row of beach huts, off for the time being but have been unable to access part of the area.
One witness, Louise Davies, said: ‘It’s definitely spreading across the marsh.
In Abderdeen, a fire is reported to have taken hold of the Tullos Hill in the Tory area of the city, as police were called at around 8.55pm today
Images show pummels of smoke billowing above the inferno behind street lamps and a row of houses
Raging orange blazes have torn through Scotland, South East England and the West Midlands. Pictured: Gentleshaw common wildfire
‘I can see at least six, maybe seven fire crews’ flashing lights. The wind is pushing it inland.
‘It’s getting worse, we can see it spreading across the heath land. I can see a few more fire engines but it’s spreading so quickly.’
At least seven fire crews attended the scene and the first call was made to emergency services at around 7pm this evening.
In a statement the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue service said the fire is affecting an area roughly the size of four football pitches.
A spokesman said: ‘Crews from Hardley, Hythe, Beaulieu, Eastleigh and Ringwood are currently in attendance at a fire in a field in Calshot.
‘Multiple calls have come into the control room to report the fire, with the initial call coming in at just before 7pm.
‘Firefighters are using a main jet and two hose reels to tackle the fire which is estimated to be affecting an area of around 400m x 80m.’
The marsh is a protected area of special scientific interest home to several important species including dark-bellied brent geese and the grey plover.
Meanwhile, in Abderdeen a fire is reported to have taken hold of the Tullos Hill in the Torry area of the city, as police were called at around 8.55pm today.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: ‘We sent four appliances and fire crews remain at the scene.’
It comes as temperatures hit as high as 20C for the country on Thursday, making it the warmest day of the year so far.
Drones and fire engines can be heard in the background of dramatic footage of the orange flames.
