FIRE services are still battling a large heather fire in Ash Ranges this afternoon.
Fire crews in Hampshire and Surrey have been battling the large blaze since just after 1.30pm on April 23.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire Control tweeted: “We currently have teams from @Rushmoor02, @BordonFire03 and @fleet04 assisting our Surrey colleague with a very large fire on Henley Ranges, Ash Vale. Smoke is moving up to Farnham so carry on with your windows closed if you’re in the area.”
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service tweeted: “We are currently attending an open air fire near Henley Park in Pirbright after receiving the initial call at 11.28am. We have 12 fire and rescue vehicles there -down, including specialized units.
“Please avoid the area and people nearby should close windows and doors.”
People took to social media to post photos of the large plume of smoke.
Some people said the smell of smoke traveled as far as Romsey and Bournemouth.
Several Hampshire & Surrey appliances continue to fight a very fast Heath fire today in the Ash / Henley ranges. Strong winds made firefighting very difficult for all of our firefighters today. Rushmoor fire fighting units and pumps used to great effect. pic.twitter.com/9SgbWdRDll
— Rushmoor Fire Station (@Rushmoor02) April 23, 2022
— Steve Fox GInSTR 🚒🚨& 📟🇬🇧 (@WMSteveFox) April 23, 2022
Fire at Ash Ranges but the cricket continues. Across the road, I hear evacuations might be happening pic.twitter.com/rINb57e8At
— Annie Cricket 💙 (@AnnieCricket) April 23, 2022
4 – #AshRanges For example the speed of propagation. Prevent people from entering the smoke plume.😢 pic.twitter.com/uHn8MBvNzd
— FireSnapper999 (@Firesnapper999) April 23, 2022
Ashtrays on fire 😱 pic.twitter.com/t4yuKPBgdN
— James Fern (@JamesFern83) April 23, 2022