Huge rise in Shropshire grass fire call-outs
Fire crews around Shropshire were called to tackle almost 30 fires in the open as temperatures hit 30C.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said it has seen a vast increase in the number of call outs due to the recent heatwave.
This comes after they were called out to 27 fires in the open this weekend.
John Harrison, group commander for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We had an exceptionally busy weekend, and that didn't ease off into the beginning of the week.
"I think the message is that at this time of the year, you've got to be very careful with barbecues and any other type of open fire. Disposable barbecues in particular can be a real problem in this weather.
"Fires spread so quickly in rural areas, and when the land is as dry as it is now, they can spread underground and come back up in a different place."
Fire crews attended a garage that had caught fire from an out of control bonfire in Market Drayton yesterday.
A heavy pumping unit, water carrier and fire engine were called out to the property in Colehurst, to tackle the blaze.
Lilleshall Hill was another place emergency services attended over the weekend after a large fire there took nearly three hours to put out.
Fire crews used three fire engines and two support units to tackle the grass fire, which spread over 75 square metres.
Mr Harrison said he was also disappointed with the amount of litter left out in the open.
"We couldn't say whether the World Cup had anything to do with it, but there was lots of litter all over the hillsides," he said.
"We're not sure what the cause of the Lilleshall fire was but there were empty bottles and rubbish everywhere.
"People also need to be very careful with all smoking materials as even a cigarette can be enough to start a fire in this weather.
"Water supplies are a concern as it is and if we need to use large quantities of water to tackle these fires it's only adding to the problem."
