Report on Hale Lane field fire 13 August

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According to the report published by Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service, the Hale Lane fire was timed at 2:18am on Saturday 13 August

Nine appliances and crews and three officers were in attendance at the height of the fire.

The appliances and crews in attendance were from:

  • Aylesbury
  • Bedfordshire
  • Broughton
  • Hertfordshire
  • High Wycombe
  • Princes Risborough
  • Maidenhead
  • Thame

A fire in stubble field spread to affect neighbouring fields, hedgerows and trees.

The firefighters used:

  • Five hose reel jets
  • Four main jets
  • Three four by four vehicles
  • Beaters
  • Water backpacks
  • Small gear
  • Thermal imaging cameras

The fire “jumped” a road and was spreading through multiple fields and up the hill. Wendover Woods was evacuated as a precaution, and a tractor with a plough was used to create a fire break between the fields and woods. Thames Valley Police were also in attendance.

Around 30 hectares of stubble was 100 per cent damaged by fire. Local farmers provided assistance with creating fire breaks and applying water.

Scaling back of the incident started just after 6pm on Saturday (13 August 2022). Firefighters remained on the scene overnight and into the following day, turning over and damping down, monitoring deep seated areas of fire and tackling any emerging hotspots.

Crews left the scene at around 11.30 pm on Saturday night, with crews returning for reinspection at regular intervals throughout Sunday (14 August 2022).

Local homes were evacuated because the danger from the fire was great. An eye witness told Wendover News that although a local farmer made a fire break with a plough, the fire swept over it, fanned by wind. It also swept over the road so that both sides of the road were on fire. Another ploughed firebreak saved Wendover Woods from catching but it was touch and go. The next morning the ground was still hot and smoking with a breeze strong enough to start the fire again but the Fire Brigade continued to monitor and deal with outbreaks while they were small enough to control.

Local residents removed their livestock including horses and dogs from the vicinity and were then advised to evacuate their homes. Fortunately the blaze was controlled before any damage occurred to domestic property. The owners cannot thank the fire fighters and farmers enough.  The crop had already been harvested so it was not lost.