Field fire affecting 7 acres of stubble

Update at 7.55pm

The fire is now out although a relief crew will be heading back to the scene at 8pm to check for hotspots.

Approximately 20 acres of stubble field has been damaged by the fire.

Thanks to the hard work of our firefighters and the farmer, the fire didn’t spread to nearby properties and the crop of barley in the next door field was protected.

At the fire’s peak, 12 appliances were in attendance with firefighters using eight hose reel jets, back pack sprayers, beaters, a drone, water bowser and two specialist off road vehicles to tackle the flames.

Station Manager Jon Ford said: “I would like to say a huge thanks to all of the crews involved in this incident, particularly the on-call firefighters from Ongar who were the first to arrive at the scene, who worked extremely hard in the prevailing wind to stop this fire from spreading further.

“It was covering a wide area and thanks to the skill of our control room staff, who guided us to the right places when access was difficult, and the farmers who supported us by digging firebreaks with their plough, we were able to stop this from spreading further, preventing damage to crops and neighbouring properties.

“The crews worked hard in arduous conditions, supported by colleagues from Hertfordshire who sent two appliances. Members of the public were also really supportive, providing us with drinks at the scene which were much appreciated by us all.”

The cause of the fire is thought to be accidental.

Thanks to David Jackman of Everything Epping Forest for these photographs of the incident and our firefighters in action.

More images from him can be viewed on his Everything Epping Forest Flikr page.

We are urging people to be wildfire aware in these hot weather conditions to help us prevent outdoor fires.

The wildfire risk is currently high, if you see a wildfire, report it before it gets worse! Call us on 999.

For more advice go to our website.

Residents in High Laver have been advised to keep their doors and windows closed as crews tackle a field fire.

We were called to reports of a fire in the open in Harlow Road today at 2.14pm. 

Crews from Ongar and Brentwood were first on the scene and requested support as the fire was affecting about seven acres of stubble and was spreading towards crops.

Our Control teams sent more appliances, including two off road vehicles, and firefighters are using hoses, beaters and back pack sprayers to control and extinguish the fire.

Station Manager Richie Green said: "Firefighters are working extremely hard in high temperatures to stop the fire from spreading and prevent it from reaching fields of standing crops.

"The fire is surrounded but we are continuing to extinguish it so there will be a lot of smoke in the area.

"Because of the wind direction, it is being blown towards houses, so please keep your doors and windows shut if you live in the area."

Could you be an on-call firefighter?

Some of the firefighters at this incident are on-call firefighters - they live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station and are paid to protect their community. 

If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be an on-call firefighter. 

Find out more about the role and how to apply at join.essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call