Firefighters from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) have been tackling wildfires across the region in the last few weeks, with several engines most recently being mobilised to a 18ha field fire in Wickham Bishops.

The ECFRS stated that several crews were deployed to the scene at 4:39p.m yesterday (Tuesday, June 14) after a combine harvester went on fire in a field near Langford Road.

The operation was a joint effort from many stations across Essex, with engines being sent from Colchester, Ingatestone, Leaden Roding, Maldon, Tiptree and Witham.

In addition to this, the Chelmsford Fire Station mobilised two engines to help quell the flames, while Halstead and Billericay provided a water bowser and an off-road vehicle respectively.

Firefighters at the scene estimated that "18ha of stubble and bales" were damaged in the fire.

According to the ECFRS, crews stopped the fire from spreading to nearby properties and fully extinguished it by 6:14p.m before leaving the scene shortly after 7:00p.m.

Field fires

This Wickham Bishops incident follows five other field fires that the EFCRS responded to last week, all of which occurred within the span of 48 hours.

Three field fires were reported across Saffron Walden, Fryerning and Weeley on July 6, while two more fields caught fire in Epping and Woodham Walter on July 7.

In light of these recent incidents, fire crews are now encouraging everyone working or living in rural communities to help in the fight against field fires.

Ollie Everott, who is a rural engagement officer at ECFRS, highlighted that farms can be particularly at risk from wildfires due to how quickly they can spread out of control through dry vegetation.

Everott said: "We need everyone’s help to prevent wildfires this summer and would ask everyone enjoying our countryside to be mindful of the things that could start fires like bonfires, barbeques, discarded cigarettes and litter.

"We need help from you to not only prevent fires from happening in the first place but to report incidents as quickly as possible.

"Early reporting and good preparation can make a significant difference in preventing small fires from becoming large-scale incidents, helping us protect Essex's farms, crops and rural communities," he added.