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Firefighters remain at Chobham Common damping down a huge 32 hectare fire on Tuesday morning (March 26).

A firefighter from Woking Fire Station confirmed two specialist vehicles remain on site.

A large fire started in the open at Chobham Common at around 11.30am on Monday (March 25), closing Staple Hill road.

Crews from Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, London Fire Brigade, West Sussex Fire and Rescue and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue all attended the incident.

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Everything we know so far

  • Firefighters remained at Chobham Common damping down a huge 32 hectare fire on Tuesday morning (March 26)
  • The stop message was issued at around 5.35pm on Monday (March 25) however firefighters remained at the scene as a “precaution”
  • Road restrictions were lifted late on Monday (March 25) when Staple Hill road was reopened, Surrey Police confirmed
  • Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT) is “deeply saddened by the fire” as “large fires can be devastating for heathland wildlife”
  • The trust confirmed that it is possible the some species was killed in the incident
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Visitors reminded to 'think carefully' on the common

Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT) has reminded people to “think carefully and act responsibly” when using the common due to the recent dry weather.

A spokesman said:

The Trust would like to ask people to think carefully and act responsibly when using the common, especially when conditions are dry.


Discarded cigarette ends or litter such as glass bottles can lead to fires breaking out, which can quickly spread. Campfires or barbecues are not permitted at any time.


Anyone who spots a fire or sees suspicious behaviour is asked to please contact the emergency services immediately on 999.”

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Possible some species 'killed' in fire

More from Surrey Wildlife Trust on the “devastating” large fire at Chobham Common on Monday (March 25).

A spokesman said:

At this time of year internationally protected bird species such as Dartford Warbler and Woodlark are setting up their territories and, due to the early arrival of spring, may be nesting already.


Whilst the adult birds can fly away from the fire and will be able to nest again this season the fire may have destroyed nests and eggs in the area burnt.


Heathland is one of the only UK habitats that support all six native British reptiles.


Chobham Common has populations of five of these species and the speed and size of this fire means that it is possible that some individuals will have been killed. Those remaining will be more exposed to predation due to the lack of cover.”

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Trust 'deeply saddened'

A spokesman said:

Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT) is deeply saddened by the fire has burnt across an area of rare lowland heathland habitat at Chobham Common. Our team is currently assessing the full extent of the damage but large fires can be devastating for heathland wildlife.


The Trust is extremely grateful to Surrey Fire and Rescue Service for their excellent work tackling and extinguishing the fire.”

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Fire prevention advice

Thames Basin Heaths Partnerships has issued advice on preventing the spreading of fire:

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Road restrictions lifted 'late last night'

A spokesman for Surrey Police has confirmed the road closure of Staple Hill road was lifted late last night.

The road was closed in both directions from the B383 Windsor Road to the B386 Longcross Road.

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Images of the fire on Monday

These incredible photos were taken by Lee Ridley, who was at Chobham Common taking pictures of wildlife when the fire broke out on Monday (March 25):

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Firefighters at the scene as a 'precaution'

Firefighters remain at Chobham Common this morning.

A Surrey Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said:

We were called at around 11.30am yesterday to a fire in the open in Chobham Common.


Over the course of the day we sent nine fire engines and a number of specialist vehicles to deal with the fire which affected around 32 hectares of undergrowth.


The stop message was issued at around 5.35pm however some firefighters are still at the scene as a precaution.”

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Good morning

Good morning and welcome to our live blog.

Firefighters remain at Chobham Common damping down a huge 32 hectare fire on Tuesday morning (March 26).

A firefighter from Woking Fire Station confirmed two specialist vehicles remain on site.

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