Fire crews are continuing to fight against a severe wildfire on Chobham Common today (Monday, August 10) as the battle to contain the blaze enters its fourth day.

While fire crews said earlier that the peak of the fire has now passed, "hotspots" of flames remain on the common amid persistent high temperatures and a lack of rainfall that point to a danger of the fire rapidly becoming more severe again.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said around midday on Monday that 16 firefighters remained tackling the blaze with eight fire engines still on site.

The county fire service said they expect to remain at the scene of the fire on Chobham Common for the rest of the week and advised all residents nearby to avoid the area.

"Fire crews remain at the fire on Chobham Common.

"Whilst this is still a significant incident, crews have stabilised the situation and firefighting resources have been reduced accordingly. Sixteen firefighters are currently tackling the fire using eight vehicles.

"We expect to remain on scene for the remainder of the week and will be constantly monitoring the weather conditions which could see the fire develop further again.

"Residents are asked to continue avoiding the area," an SFRS spokesperson said.

As the Surrey Comet reported previously, the fire broke out on Friday afternoon and rapidly scorched a massive area of the common, scorching around 150 hectares at its peak.

Home owners were forced to flee as transport links and a nearby golf tournament were shut down, while columns of smoke could be seen over 10 miles away in central London.

Surrey Comet: Image via Surrey Fire Brigades Union / Twitter shows huge plumes of smoke from the Chobham Common wildfire. Image via Surrey Fire Brigades Union / Twitter shows huge plumes of smoke from the Chobham Common wildfire.

Fire crews, rescue services and support from other emergency services were lauded by the community and prominent figures alike for their efforts fighting the wildfire.

By Sunday, a number of residents who were evacuated as a result of the size and intensity of the fire have begun to return to their homes.

A spokesperson for Surrey County Council (SCC) who help manage SFRS and assisted in the evacuations said:

"Although crews will likely be on scene for most of the week a decision has been made by the various agencies dealing with the incident that residents previously evacuated will begin to be allowed to return to their homes.

"Surrey’s firefighters along with a team of national specialist wildfire tactical advisors warn that the weather conditions continue to create a situation where the fire could rapidly take hold again and that further evacuations may be required."

Surrey Comet: Chobham Common wildfire. Image: Hazardous Area Response Team of South Central Ambulance ServiceChobham Common wildfire. Image: Hazardous Area Response Team of South Central Ambulance Service

The origin of the blaze remains unclear.

Nevertheless, SCC warned residents to avoid using disposable barbecues, creating unnecessary fires or dropping litter as all can easily start fires amid the dryness and ongoing heatwave.

Earlier in the year, the Met Office raised the fire threat level in Surrey to "severe" amid a previous bout of hot weather, and recent wildfires including the ongoing blaze on Chobham Common underline the persistent threat of fires breaking out and getting out of control.

Amid the escalating climate crisis, scientists are pointing out the rising danger wildfires present to countries around the world including the UK as the Earth continues to heat up.