Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire in a field near Hainault Country Park on Romford Road in Chigwell.
A combine harvester was destroyed by fire and around three acres of grassland.
Drivers were advised to avoid the area due to a heavy build up of traffic. Local residents were also advised to shut doors and windows due to the heavy smoke emitting from the blaze.
The Brigade was called at 1109 and the fire was under control by 1518. Fire crews from Romford, Dagenham and Ilford fire stations were in attendance.
Grass fire prevention tips:
- Don’t drop cigarettes or anything that is burning on dry ground
- Don’t drop cigarettes out of car windows, they may land on dry grass by the roadside
- Don't have barbecues in parks and public spaces
- Never leave camp fires or barbecues unattended and extinguish them properly after you have finished using them
- Position your barbecue on level ground and keep it well away from anything that may catch fire (sheds, fences, trees, tents etc.)
- Do not barbecue on balconies, the wind may carry smouldering ash towards nearby grassland
- Be aware that children, animals, balls or anything else may knock over barbecues, increasing the risk of grass fires, especially when in a busy parks or public spaces
