Bonfire causes large outdoor fire in dry field

A warning has been issued to not be "led into a false sense of security" after a bonfire caused a large outdoor fire.

Jersey Fire Service said it received multiple calls just before 17:00 BST on Monday to the incident near a path leading to Jersey Water's desalination plant in Corbiere.

The service said 18 firefighters were dispatched to the fire, which had spread from a bonfire in a neighbouring field of dry vegetation and was then driven by strong winds.

A spokesperson said people should refrain from lighting bonfires during strong winds as the land remained "very dry" after recent heatwaves and despite recent rainfall.

The spokesperson added a garden shed was damaged by the flames and a nearby property which was downwind had also come under threat.

Chris Smith, head of fire prevention at Jersey Fire Service, said it took crews six hours to tackle the flames after they got "quickly out of control".

He urged people to "be diligent" as conditions were still very dry after a hot summer.

He added: "Don't get led into a false sense of security. We've had a bit of rain but the ground is tinder-dry.

"We only have to look around the UK and Europe to see the devastation that wildfires cause."

The service said its crews had taken part in specialist wildfire training earlier this month at the former Oaklands Hotel site.

It said such training was normally provided annually, but had been increased in recent years due to periods of warm, dry weather becoming more common.

Crew commander Harry Matthews, who led the training, said: "The exercise helped crews understand fire behaviour, predict fire spread and develop strategies for safely tackling incidents in Jersey's rural areas, where highly flammable vegetation such as gorse can fuel rapid fire growth."

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