Major Wildfire Breaks Out on Hankley Common in Surrey Amid 33°C Heatwave
A large wildfire has broken out on Hankley Common in Thursley, Surrey, as the UK endures its third heatwave of the year.
According to Surrey Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS), the fire has consumed around eight hectares (20 acres) of heathland, with 16 fire engines deployed to the scene as of 6pm. The fire service has advised the public to avoid the area and for nearby residents to close their windows and doors due to smoke.
Eyewitness: ‘We Saw It Billowing Up’
Laura Watts, who works at a nearby pet shop, said she first noticed the smoke around 4:15pm.
“We smelt the smoke and went outside, which is when we saw it billowing up,” she told the UKNIP.
“The fire teams turned up not long afterwards and blocked the road with their vehicles and told people to stay away.”
She added that strong winds were making conditions difficult for firefighters, and that staff and locals had been handing out water bottles to help emergency crews working in the scorching heat.
Firefighters on High Alert
A spokesperson for Surrey Fire & Rescue Service 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.”
The fire comes as temperatures soared to 33°C (91.4°F) in parts of the country on Saturday, just shy of Friday’s peak of 34.7°C (94.5°F). Wildfire warnings and hosepipe bans are now in effect in many areas due to dry conditions.
Protected Habitat Under Threat
Hankley Common is a 560-hectare nature reserve, part of the Thursley, Hankley and Frensham Commons Special Area of Conservation. It is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and home to rare heathland wildlife, including ground-nesting birds such as nightjars and skylarks.
The area is also known for its film history, having featured in productions such as James Bond’s Skyfall and Marvel’s Black Widow.
A large portion of the land is owned by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and used for military training, while Hankley Common Golf Club also owns part of the site.
