Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service tackled 320 fires in the open during the country’s extended period of hot weather, a report has revealed.
Firefighters received 2,032 calls to incidents mainly in rural areas between June and July during the extreme heat.
The report, requested by the service’s chairman, revealed that a normal six month period would only see four to six fires in the open.
The increase in large fires saw a warning from firefighters to ensure that outdoor BBQ’s were properly extinguished after use as they were a common cause.
The report comes after two crews from Wisbech were called to a fire measuring around 30 acres at Kirkhams Lane, Elm.
A spokesman for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue said: “Two crews from Wisbech were called to a fire on Kirkhams Lane in Elm Part.
“Firefighters arrived to find a fire in the open measuring around 30 acres. They extinguished the fire using hose reels and returned to their station by 1.50pm.
“The cause of the fire was deliberate. Anyone with information should contact police by visiting www.cambs.police.uk to submit an online report or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”
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