Major Incident Declared as 14 Crews Battle Nottinghamshire Wildfires

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident on Sunday afternoon, with 14 crews actively engaged in tackling two separate wildfires near Mansfield. This declaration signifies the cumulative impact of multiple incidents straining operational capabilities.

The fires, one at Strawberry Hill Heath and another at Sherwood Pines, have required extensive resources. Approximately 36,000 square meters of land have been affected by the blaze at Strawberry Hill Heath. The service warned that response times to new emergencies are likely to be delayed due to the significant deployment of fire engines, which represent nearly half of their available appliances.

Residents in the vicinity have been urged to keep doors and windows shut due to smoke. The public has also been reminded of the extreme fire risk in the current hot and dry conditions, with specific warnings against lighting fires or carelessly disposing of cigarettes. The Met Office forecasts a return of heatwave conditions next week, with temperatures potentially reaching 36C.