Final Update 5.30pm - Saturday 5 July

Firefighting operations are now finished at Dartford Heath following a wildfire which started yesterday evening.

A revisit was made at 4.30pm for safety checks and no further hotspots were found.

There were no reported injuries and the cause is unknown.

Update 10.30am - Saturday 5 July

Firefighters have revisited Dartford Heath this morning and have found several hotspots and areas of residual heat coming from last night's wildfire. 

The crews are using flexi packs and hose reel jets to continue to dampen down and a further revisit is planned this afternoon. 

Update 10pm - Friday 4 July

Crews are no longer advising people to close their windows and doors if they live near Dartford Heath, following a wildfire earlier this evening, but they are issuing a warning to be cautious in the area over the coming days as the fire, even though fully extinguished, continues to smoulder.

At the height of the incident, six fire engines, a bulk water carrier and Utility Terrain Vehicle were in attendance. The flames have now been extinguished using wildfire equipment, main jets and hose reel jets.  

There are no reported injuries and the cause of the fire is not known.

A revisit is planned for tomorrow morning (Saturday 5 July) to check on any remaining hotspots.

Following this incident, crews are urging people to follow some simple safety advice to help prevent wildfires this summer:

• don't throw smoking materials onto the ground
• keep barbecues away from greenery, fences, and property
• only use disposable barbecues in authorised areas and make sure it's cold before putting it in a bin
• supervise burning bonfires and lit barbecues at all times
• always take rubbish home or use a bin, as litter such as reflective cans and glass can start fires
• avoid lighting bonfires when the ground is very dry  

Please share this information with any loved ones in the area who may be affected but do not have access to the internet.

Update 7.45pm - Friday 4 July

People living or travelling near Dartford Heath are no longer being advised to close their windows and doors due to smoke coming from a wildfire.

At the height of the incident, six fire engines, a bulk water carrier and Utility Terrain Vehicle were in attendance. The fire is now out with crews using wildfire equipment and hose reel jets to extinguish the flames.

Three fire engines, a bulk water carrier and the tech rescue team currently remain on scene to dampen down for the next hour or so.

Please share this information with any loved ones in the area who may be affected but do not have access to the internet.

Initial Update - 6.30pm - Friday 4 July

People living or travelling near Dartford Heath are being advised to close their windows and doors due to smoke coming from a wildfire.

Six fire engines, a bulk water carrier and Utility Terrain Vehicle are currently in attendance and crews are using wildfire equipment and hose reel jets to extinguish the flames.

Please share this information with any loved ones in the area who may be affected but do not have access to the internet.