UK

More wildfires break out in baking heat as firefighters warn people not to take risks

More grass fires have broken out in scorching conditions – with firefighters warning that people are continuing to hold barbecues in parks and drop cigarettes out of car windows.

Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to a fire in Enfield, north London, on Saturday afternoon.

An area measuring about 900m by 600m was alight, London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.

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The fire produced a lot of smoke over the M25 between junctions 25 and 26, it added.

“The smallest of sparks can start a blaze which could cause devastation,” it said.

“Despite our continued warning over the last few weeks, we know there are still people who are barbecuing in parks, dropping cigarettes out of car windows and leaving rubbish lying around.”

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said it was battling a large wildfire in the town of Camborne.

Nottinghamshire Police are appealing for information following a large fire in a field in Mansfield.

“A nearby house and a number of vehicles have been damaged because of the blaze, which is currently being brought under control by firefighters,” the force said.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it had sent 10 fire engines to a crop fire in the village of Wye.

In Dorset, the local fire service said a disposable barbecue was the most likely cause of a big blaze on Friday.

Ninety firefighters and ten fire engines – including some called in from neighbouring areas – were sent to the scene in Studland.

There was “evidence of a little camp where someone had used a disposable barbecue”, the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) said.

“We can’t say 100% that was the cause but when we find evidence we have to assume that’s the most likely cause,” a spokeswoman added.

“Fires don’t just start on their own.”

Firefighters worked through the night to bring the flames under control.

Dorset Police said on Saturday afternoon that an unexploded piece of ammunition believed to date from the Second World War had been found on the scorched heathland.

A bomb disposal unit would be attending, the force added, with the public warned to expect a loud bang.

In the first 10 days of August, DWFRS said it had attended 180 wildfires.

In the same period last year it was 34.

Staff have “never had a year like this one – it is just unprecedented”, the spokeswoman said.

Temperatures could reach 35C this weekend.

An amber heat warning has been issued by the Met Office.

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