Firefighters were tackling a Cannock Chase fire on Saturday after a second blaze broke out in the area within two days. Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said five engines and two rangers were called near the Seven Springs car park at about 13:30 BST, and asked the public to avoid the area.
Seven Springs car park
The latest fire was in forestry land near Seven Springs, the Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation Partnership said. It asked people to be extra vigilant in the long dry spell and to report anything they were concerned about.
“The latest fire is in forestry land near Seven Springs.” The partnership also said, “Please be extra vigilant in this long dry spell and report anything you are concerned about.”
Cannock Chase on Thursday
The Saturday blaze came after a fire on Thursday was caused by a disposable barbecue. That fire destroyed a football pitch-sized area of protected heath land in Sherbrook Valley and killed animals including toads and adders.
Disposable barbecues are banned on Cannock Chase because of the dangers they pose, and the two fires in two days left the response focused on keeping people out of the area while crews worked. “Even if you can smell burning but can't see smoke or flames it could be the start of a fire.”
The cause of the Saturday fire has not been given, so the immediate concern for people in and around Cannock Chase is to stay away while firefighters deal with the scene. The earlier blaze showed how quickly a fire there can damage protected land and wildlife.
