Large fire breaks out on nature reserve

A large fire has broken out on a nature reserve in Surrey as the UK bakes in its third heatwave of the year.

Surrey Fire & Rescue Service said there were 16 fire engines at the scene on Hankley Common, in Thursley, in a post on X just before 18:00 BST.

It said the fire was covering about eight hectares (20 acres) and advised local people to avoid the area and to close windows and doors.

Laura Watts, who works at a nearby pet shop, said she could smell smoke at about 16:15BST, shortly after which a fleet of fire engines turned up.

Hankley Common has been used as a film set, including for the James Bond film Skyfall, and the Marvel movie Black Widow.

It is an important heathland habitat and home to ground-nesting birds, including nightjars and skylarks.

Ms Watts described the moment she realised it was on fire.

"We smelt the smoke and went outside, which is when we saw it billowing up," she said.

"The fire teams turned up not long afterwards and blocked the road with their vehicles and told people to stay away."

She said the firefighters had been working at the scene for a few hours "because the wind keeps picking up and spreading it".

"We were handing out water bottles to them because it's such a hot day," she added.

A SFRS spokesperson said: "We currently have 16 appliances attending a wildfire on Hankley Common, Thursley.

"The fire is covering approximately eight hectares.

"Please avoid the area and nearby residents should close windows and doors."

In England on Saturday, temperatures peaked at 33C (91.4F), which was recorded in Ross on Wye, falling short of Friday's peak of 34.7C (94.5F).

The latest heatwave has led to hosepipe bans being declared, with wildfire warnings in place across much of the country.

The common is a 560 hectare (1,400 acre) nature reserve, part of the Thursley, Hankley and Frensham Commons Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area and Site of Special Scientific Interest.

A significant portion of it is owned by the Ministry of Defence, which uses the land for military training.

Another portion of the area is owned by the Hankley Common Golf Club.

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