Firefighters are currently working to contain a large wildfire that has broken out on Chobham Common amid soaring temperatures earlier today (August 7).
By half-past 4 on Friday, 41 hectares of grass and undergrowth were alight according to fire crews.
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) sent numerous fire crews and vehicles to the scene of the blaze, which sent pillars of smoke far into the air that were visible miles away.
Anyone present on the common was ordered to evacuate by the fire service Friday afternoon as crews battled the flames.
Meanwhile, police closed roads in the surrounding area as they sought to assist fire crews on the ground.
"We currently have multiple Fire and Rescue vehicles in attendance at Chobham Common in Chobham dealing with a large wildfire.
"Surrey Police are in attendance and assisting with road closures.
"If you are on Chobham common please evacuate the area immediately for your safety," an SFRS spokesperson posted to Twitter.
⚠️We currently have multiple Fire and Rescue vehicles in attendance at Chobham Common in Chobham dealing with a large wildfire. @SurreyPolice are in attendance and assisting with road closures. If you are on Chobham common please evacuate the area immediately for your safety ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/invqHpS9jX
— Surrey Fire & Rescue Service (@SurreyFRS) August 7, 2020
In a more detailed statement sent in response to a query from the Surrey Comet around 4.30pm, a spokesperson for SFRS said at least 41 hectares have been burnt so far, with firefighters still tackling the blaze at present:
"We received a call this afternoon around 12.25pm to a report of a fire on Chobham Common.
"Ten fire engines have been sent in total, alongside multiple specialist vehicles, with the first arriving at the scene around 12.35pm. Approximately 5-10 hectares of undergrowth were alight.
"Crews remain at the scene tackling the fire.”
In a later update sent just moments later, around 4.32pm, SFRS said that 41 hectares were "currently alight"
Surrey Police said they had closed a section of the Chobham Road in the area in their ongoing response to the wildfire.
They also ordered anyone in the area to evacuate.
"We've closed Chobham Road between Titlarks hill road and the roundabout with Windsor Road/Chertsey Road to allow @SurreyFRS to deal with #ChobhamFire.
"If you are currently on Chobham Common, we ask that you make your way safely back to your vehicle and leave the area as soon (and as safely) as possible."
While the origin of the blaze is unclear, experts say that the escalating climate crisis and associated hotter temperatures make wildfires more common and more severe in the UK and across the globe.
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