A huge wildfire that has been burning for five days near Newcastle Aiport has almost been extinguished.
Dozens of firefighters from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) were called to Prestwick Carr Nature Reserve at 1.19pm on Wednesday, June 14 after a fire broke out in a densely wooded area. At its height, 56 firefighters tackled the blaze, along with two drone pilots and three fire officers.
Days of hot and dry weather have made the fire incredibly tough to put out, however, a substantial amount of overnight rain on Sunday has helped contribute towards bringing the incident to an end. Firefighters will remain at the scene for the rest of today (June 19).
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The fire was located in a densely wooded area on the nature reserve, which is split between the Ministry of Defence and Northumberland Wildlife Trust, meaning firefighters had to walk and carry equipment over significant distances.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing but crews have now been praised for their tireless work to keep the community safe.
Assistant chief fire officer Lynsey McVay said: "I want to say a huge thank you to our firefighters, duty officers, service-wide staff and fire control for their continued hard work and invaluable support over the last five days whilst we've been battling this fire.
"It has been a tough incident but each day I've been incredibly humbled by the actions of our staff to keep going in the face of adversity.
"We've received support from our partners across the region including the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, as well as, Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, Northumbria Police and NEAS, which has been crucial during such a difficult incident.
"I also want to thank the local residents and businesses for their understanding and cooperation during this time.
"I know the wildfire has caused a great deal of disruption and inconvenience in the local area, and I appreciate your patience and ongoing support as we work to bring the incident to a safe conclusion."
TWFRS has now urged the public to avoid using disposable barbecues in open spaces during the hot weather and to not leave rubbish, particularly glass bottles, in fields or parks as materials like glass can start fires by magnifying the sun’s rays.
"There will be a presence on the site for another day or so whilst we work towards handing the site over to the Ministry of Defence who are the owners of the land," Ms McVay said.
"Nearby residents may continue to smell smoke for a few days, but there is no reason to be concerned.
"This is just the beginning of the summer season, the weather will always play its part in wildfires but the actions of the public can also help prevent these incidents.
"If you are going to visit the countryside or the beach over the summer, please take a picnic rather than a barbecue t's so much safer, and please remember to take your rubbish with you."
Anyone with information on deliberate fire setting can call FireStoppers on 0800 169 5558 or via their website.
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