Update at 16:45 on 21 July

Firefighting operations at the scene of a grass fire on Durrell Dene, in Joyce Green, Dartford have now been completed, and the fire has been extinguished. Fire crews will revisit the area regularly throughout the evening, and will continue to monitor the site.

Crews are continuing to urge people to avoid walking on the site, and on charred areas of ground, since remaining toxins and fumes that will be present for some days to come, could be bad for the health of people and animals.

Firefighters worked hard in punishing conditions to surround the fire, preventing flames from spreading and containing the fire to the area. They would like to thank local people for their cooperation in following safety advice throughout the incident, particularly in such warm conditions this week.

To help reduce the risk of further wildfires this summer, crews are urging everyone to take extra care. If you're having a barbecue, keep them well away from greenery, shrubs, property and fences, and if it's disposable, only bin them once they've fully cooled. You should also ensure cigarettes are fully cold before disposal, take any rubbish home with you, and avoid lighting bonfires during periods of hot or windy weather.

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Update at 11:30 on 21 July 

One fire engine, an all-terrain vehicle, and a ranger vehicle remain at the scene of the fire near Durrell Dene, in Joyce Green, Dartford. Crews are carefully searching the affected land looking for any remaining hotspots and damping down as they go, to prevent the fire from reigniting.

Firefighters are urging people to avoid walking on the charred areas of ground, as remaining toxins and fumes that will be present for some days to come, can be bad for the health of people and animals.

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Update at 17:30 on 20 July

Crews are damping down the last remaining hotspots near Durrell Dene, in Joyce Green, Dartford, with two fire engines in attendance. 

Firefighters are urging people to avoid walking on charred areas of ground in this location, as remaining toxins and fumes that will be present for some days to come, can be bad for the health of people and animals.

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Update at 12:30 on 20 July:

Crews remain at the scene of a grass fire near Durrell Dene, in Joyce Green, Dartford. Four fire engines and two fogging units are in attendance, as crews continue to tackle the fire today. Firefighters have been making good progress throughout the morning, damping down any remaining hotspots and preventing any fire spread.

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Update at 08:00 on 20 July:

Crews remain at the grass fire near Durrell Dene, in Joyce Green, Dartford.

Following a night of containing the blaze and maintaining a watching brief, the number of fire engines and resources on scene is now increasing again as firefighters continue to tackle the fire today and damp down hotspots.   

Smoke from the fire is now minimal, and people living and working nearby are no longer advised to keep windows and doors closed. KFRS would like to thank local people for their cooperation in following this advice in exceptionally warm conditions.

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Update at 21:00

The grass fire near Durrell Dene in Joyce Green, Dartford is ongoing but is being scaled down to six fire engines overnight. 

People living in the surrounding area continue to be advised to close windows and doors if smoke is in the air, and anyone driving on nearby roads should take extra care due to smoke impacting visibility.

Please share this information with loved ones who are not on social, who may be impacted. 

Please note there are two separate large grass fire incidents ongoing in Dartford. 

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Update at 17.20: 

Steady progress is being made at the scene of a grass fire near Durrell Dene, in Joyce Green, Dartford. 

Crews are continuing to tackle the blaze, which broke out on marshlands earlier today. 

No injuries have been reported and no residential buildings have been affected. 

Members of KFRS’ volunteer response team are remaining at the site to provide welfare and support. 

People who live or work in the affected area are still advised to close their windows and doors as a precaution, due to smoke coming from fire. Drivers travelling on the surrounding roads are also asked to take extra care, as the smoke may impact visibility. 

Please continue to share these updates with any loved ones in the affected area, who might not have access to the internet or social media. Thank you. 

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Update at 16.10: 

Eighteen fire engines are at the scene of a grass fire near Durrell Dene, in Joyce Green, Dartford. 

Firefighters are using a fogging unit, two all-terrain vehicles and a bulk water carrier to bring the fire under control and extinguish the flames. 

The technical rescue unit is also in attendance and crews are using a telehandler machine to create a fire break, to stop the fire from spreading further. 

No injuries have been reported. 

Members of KFRS’ volunteer response team are on-hand to provide welfare and support. 

People who live or work in the affected area are advised to close their windows and doors as a precaution, due to smoke coming from fire. Drivers travelling on the surrounding roads are also  asked to take extra care, as the smoke may impact visibility. 

Please continue to share these updates with any loved ones in the affected area, who might not have access to the internet or social media. Thank you. 
 

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Update at 14.55: 

Kent Fire and Rescue Service remains at the scene of a field fire near Durrell Dene, in Joyce Green, Dartford. 

Twelve fire engines and the technical rescue unit are in attendance, and crews are working to extinguish the flames. 

People who live or work in the affected area are advised to close their windows and doors as a precaution, due to smoke coming from fire. Drivers travelling on the A2 or surrounding roads are asked to take extra care, as the smoke may impact visibility. 

Please continue to share these updates with any loved ones in the affected area, who might not have access to the internet or social media. Thank you. 

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Update 14.20: 

Kent Fire and Rescue Service is in attendance at the scene of a field fire near Durrell Dene, in Joyce Green, Dartford. 

Thank you to everyone who has called to make us aware of the incident. 

Twelve fire engines have been sent to the area, where crews are working to extinguish the fire. The technical rescue unit is also in attendance. 

People driving on the A2 and nearby roads are advised to take care, due to smoke coming from the incident, which may impact visibility. Please share this update with any friends or relatives passing through the area, who might not have access to the internet or social media. 

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Kent Fire and Rescue Service has been called to reports of a grass fire near Durrell Dene, in Joyce Green, Dartford. 

Nine fire engines and a height vehicle have been sent to the scene, where crews are working to extinguish the fire. 

More to follow.