Heatwave sparks fire warnings across South West

Five firefighters beat a fire on moorland at sunset.Image source, PA Media
Image caption,

Broken glass in sunlight can start fires in extreme weather - as well as barbecues and out-of-control campfires

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The summer's fourth UK heatwave has sparked fire warnings across Devon and Cornwall.

Dartmoor National Park Authority warned people not to use barbecues or light fires to avoid putting "lives, property and nature at risk".

Ella Briens, Dartmoor's deputy head ranger, said people should take rubbish home, including glass as it could "easily cause a fire if left out in the sun".

On Tuesday, fire crews were called to a fire in a field and woodland near Bovey Tracey, Devon. The fire service said two fields and some hedgerows were destroyed by the blaze, which was not thought be deliberate.

Firefighters left the scene at 22:00 BST after using water from a local reservoir to help put the fire out, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said.

One crew returned on Wednesday morning to check the site for any remaining hotspots.

There have been more than 500 wildfires across England and Wales so far this year, the National Fire Chiefs Council said.

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