Firefighters tackled a woodland fire in Wainscott last night - the second in less than a month.

Three fire engines were called to Haven Street Woods at 5.40pm to tackle a “deep seated blaze” covering 120 metres of woodland.

Crews spent two and a half hours on the scene.

Watch manager Marc Rosier said: “We’ve had a long spell of hot weather now but we all need to remember grass and woodland gets extremely dry in these conditions and camp fires can easily spread, causing a blaze which is dangerous and unpredictable.

"They spread through undergrowth very quickly and can change direction without warning, putting lives at risk, threatening wildlife and devastating rural areas.”

It follows another fire in the same area just three weeks earlier.

On July 16, crews spent over three hours tackling a fire in the Haven Street, which was believed to have been started accidentally by a camp fire.

Kent Fire and Rescue issued a warning about countryside fires following the incident.

Stuart Skilton, community safety manager at Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Obviously we want people to enjoy the summer but every year thousands of acres of countryside, crops, and wildlife habitats are destroyed by fire.

"While some of the incidents are due to deliberate fire-setters, many are actually started accidentally due to carelessness.

“Grassland fires have the potential to spread extremely quickly and can divert crews away from other incidents, such as road crashes or house fires, where lives may be in danger.”

Advice for Kent Fire and Rescue

• Keep matches and lighters out of the way of children and remind them that they are not toys.
• If you are a parent you are strongly advised not to leave young people to wander in the countryside unsupervised. Ensure that they are aware of the dangers of fire.
• Don't light fires in the countryside or drop litter which could be set alight.
• Don't accumulate rubbish which can act as potential fuel for deliberate fire setters.
• Contact your local district or borough council to arrange collection of unwanted furniture, or to report abandoned vehicles or fly tipped waste.
• Report any information about illegal fire setting activities and those responsible (anonymously) to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.