Fire on Frensham Common
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A large blaze swept across Frensham Common on Sunday afternoon, 11 July, 2010, damaging over 60 hectares (135 acres) of heathland
A large blaze swept across Frensham Common on Sunday afternoon, 11 July, 2010, damaging over 60 hectares (135 acres) of heathland. The fire, which began around 2.30pm, is believed to have started at the southern corner near the A287, spreading quickly due to the strong wind and weeks of hot, dry weather which left the area like a tinderbox. Surrey Fire and Rescue Services arrived quickly at the scene to tackle the blaze bringing it under control in the early hours of Monday morning despite the changeable wind conditions. Visitors were evacuated from the Great Pond beach as a precautionary measure along with a small number of property owners later in the evening. Waverley Borough Council, which manages most of the area, (the National Trust manages the area around the Little Pond) had a number of Countryside Rangers on the scene assisting the emergency services and offering advice and assistance to the public.
Around 15 fire service vehicles attended the blaze and some remained on Frensham Common throughout Monday damping down the affected area in order to prevent smouldering ‘hot spots’ from re-igniting. Sadly,it is inevitable that some wildlife will have perished in the blaze, though Waverley’s Rangers are hopeful the heathland itself will regenerate before too long.
Last modified
15-07-2010
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