Crews from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue had to call in help from the United States Air Force while tackling a blaze in Chatteris.
The cause of the fire is said to be the recent spell of hot weather which has resulted in an increase of fires in open spaces.
The Cambridgeshire crews called in the US Air Force’s water tanker truck to help tackle the accidental fire involving a quarter of an acre of grassland in Chatteris.
The tanker was called out again on Wednesday, August 8 when firefighters attended a fire in Ramsey Heights.
The truck supplied water to a fire involving around 40 acres of farmland.
A fire service spokesman said: “Around 40 firefighters, including crews from Stanground, Huntingdon, Dogsthorpe, St Ives, St Neots and Chatteris, along with water carriers from Ramsey and from the US Airfoce base at Alconbury attended the incident.
“Historically we have had an excellent working relationship with the staff from the US Air Force.
“With the recent spell of hot weather resulting in an increase in fires in open spaces, we have requested support to help with water supplies in remote locations.
“The airforce has a number of water bowser vehicles that are equipped to carry large quantities of water, which are very useful when tackling fires in remote locations.”
At the time, they tweeted: “Our crews received some special assistance whilst attending a fire in Chatteris.
“United States Air Force Alconbury provided a water tanker to help tackle an accidental fire involving around a quarter of an acre of grassland. Huge thanks goes to them for their support.”
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