Busy day for Fire Service highlights continued outdoor fire risk

26/08/2026

Yesterday, within 24 hours of scaling down the major incident at Holme Fen, crews battled two other large outdoor fires as well as responding to over 20 other incidents. 

 

Around 30 firefighters in six fire engines were called to a field fire affecting approximately 10 acres of stubble near Tydd Gote in the early afternoon and over 40 firefighters in eight fire engines were then later called to a fire affecting approximately 12 acres of scrubland at Hampton Nature Reserve in Peterborough.

 

Please be careful when enjoying the outdoors, whilst it may be cooler and we have had some rain overnight, there still remains a risk that fires will start more easily and have the potential to spread quickly.

 

Area Commander Simon Thompson said: "We want people to enjoy the outdoors, particularly over the bank holiday weekend. But we ask that people keep in mind that fires are starting and spreading more easily and therefore take some simple actions to help reduce the risk. Please don’t throw cigarette butts into dry vegetation and grass verges and think about having a picnic rather than a BBQ. If you are going to have a BBQ, be extra cautious and keep it away from dry grass, shrubs and wooden fences. Don't have bonfires as they can easily spread in these conditions and please clear up your litter after picnics as glass bottles can start fires.

 

“Our firefighters and everyone else involved in responding to incidents have worked tirelessly over the past three weeks and as a Service we’ve been really stretched at times. As we head into the bank holiday, anything people can do to reduce the risk of fire will be a big help for us."

 

If you see an outdoor fire, a What3 Words location can help us get to the scene even quicker. Download the app now so it's there if you need it.