Fire on Crookham Common

The fire damage on Crookham Common is approx 1 hct with scorching of the surrounding trees this goes up to 1.5 hct. 

Sadly RBFRS have reported this as arson to TVP.

RBFRS were continuing to monitor the site up to this morning for hotspots. RBFRS were on scene for 22 continuous hours with crews called in from across Berkshire to relieve active crews on site. This included 3 specialist 4x4 tenders and the larger specialist wildfire unit from Bracknell, this was in addition to the 6 normal tenders on site at its peak. 

A BIG THANK YOU to the neighbours at Highfield Farm, who were key in assisting RBFRS to get better access to the site with the use of their machinery which included bowsers and JCB.

BBOWT staff were in attendance over the weekend and are inspecting the site daily.

For a significant portion of the 22 hours RBFRS were supported by volunteers from Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue who were keeping firefighters hydrated and using drone technology to identify hot spots during the fire.

The area burnt is unfortunately within the adder tunnel areas pictures attached. The fire will have set the project to connect the two populations back several years. We propose to leave the burnt trees standing till winter. To some degree to remind visitors of the impact of fire, we will then focus on clearing and restoring the area back to what it should be.

Julian Cooper, Land Manager, BBOWT