Firefighters continue to tackle a woodland fire in Enville

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to Chester Road at 3pm on Friday 31 July to reports of a fire in an area known as the Millon.

Firefighters with specialist equipment and over 20 fire engines have attended the scene so far, which involves approximately 200m x 300m of dense private woodland. The terrain has been difficult, so crews utilised the Unimog, ranger vehicles and water carriers alongside cross border appliances to help tackle the blaze.

Following an investigation, the fire is believed to have been started due to a campfire and colleagues from Staffordshire Police are investigating the circumstances.

Station Manager Paul Harpin said: “The spells of hot and dry weather have created the ideal conditions for fire, which combined with wind and the dense terrain, resulted in a very challenging incident for firefighters.

“We’ve made good progress in tackling the fire over the past five days. However, crews will continue to regularly visit the scene for the rest of the week to check for hotspots and damping down. Members of the public are reminded to avoid the area as the woodland is private land and the fire is still at risk of reigniting.

“As we are in the midst of summer, the weather is much dryer and grass and woodland fires are a greater risk. Anything from discarding cigarettes to embers from a nearby bonfire or disposable BBQ left unattended can cause a fire which can easily spread and put lives at risk.

“Whilst our resources are busy dealing with incidents such as these, they are not available for other emergencies. Please help us to help you by being extremely mindful and thinking twice about starting a fire in the countryside – Don’t be blamed for the flames.”