Heathland went up in flames for the second time in three days.
And the same site burned for 13 hours last month as dry weather continues to turn large swathes of the Kent countryside into a tinderbox.
The fire on Dartford Heath was visible from much of Dartford. Picture by Megan Johnson
Four fire engines were called to Dartford Heath at 4pm and crews used hose reel jets to extinguish a fire that had spread to around 400 square metres of grassland. No casualties were reported.
On Wednesday evening a blaze engulfed a 100×100 metre plot, with seven fire engines and a number of support vehicles, including multi-terrain vehicles, were called at 9.43pm.
The fire service said efforts to extinguish the flames lasted for more than two hours and crews stood down at about 12.15am.
A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: “With warm temperatures set to continue, people can help to prevent grass fires by keeping bonfires to a manageable size, well clear of greenery and property, always supervise the burning and avoid having one when it’s windy.
“It’s courteous to let your neighbours know if you plan to have one too.
“Disposing of smoking materials responsibly, making sure they’re fully stubbed out and cold before being binned – consider using a portable ashtray when on the go.
“When cooking on a disposal barbecue put it on a flat, non-flammable surface, away from property and greenery, and only place in a bin once fully cool.”
The grass fire which was in Great Lines Heritage Park Picture: Mya Bradley-Wilkinson
The blaze follows a large fire on the heath last month, which was brought under control after firefighters battled for 13 hours from Tuesday July 19 to Wednesday July 20.
At Gillingham’s Great Lines heritage park a fire broke out on Thursday night while a combine harvester fault saw flames sweep through 15 acres of farmland in Kemsing earlier in the week.
If anyone sees a grass fire, move to a safe area and call 999.
Dartford Kent Ed McConnell
