A blaze on County Durham fields has been declared as a wildfire.
Emergency services were called to the rear of Scargill Drive in Tudhoe just before 4.30pm today (August 12) after reports of a field fire.
Five fire engines were sent to the scene of the incident, with pictures firefighters dousing the flames of a charred combine harvester in a field as smoke pours in the background.
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service’s on-duty group manager John Singleton confirmed the incident has now been classed as a wildfire.
He said that one person had been treated by ambulance crews for smoke inhalation but that there was no need for any properties or people to be evacuated.
(Image: PAUL WILLIS)
Mr Singleton could not confirm the cause just yet but said it is not believed to be malicious.
Crews are now dampening down the scene.
Mr Singleton said: “This was a fire to the rear of Scargill Drive in Tudhoe. The time of call was 4.18pm and we sent fire trucks to reports of a field fire.
(Image: PAUL WILLIS)
“We [also] sent a black water carrier, an off road vehicle and an officer. We are classing it as a wildfire. Crews are now dampening down.”
Mr Singleton said that, with temperatures hitting 30 degrees across the region, it had been a busy day for the fire service.
He pointed people to the fire service website for tips and tricks on prevention of fires.
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You can prevent wildfires by taking litter home with you, never discarding cigarette ends on the ground, avoiding disposable BBQs and campfires, and not parking on dry grass or vegetation.
Wildfires can spread rapidly, putting lives, wildlife, property and our beautiful local environment at risk.
If you spot a fire, move to a place of safety and call 999, asking for the Fire & Rescue Service.
If possible, use the What3Words app to help crews locate the incident quickly.