Firefighters are calling on visitors to Ashdown Forest to take extra care in the hot dry weather following a fire this morning (Wednesday, 8 July).
Joint Fire Control received a 999 call at 9.51am on 8 July 2026, reporting smouldering grass and trees near the Ashdown Forest Centre car park on Colemans Hatch Road. An area measuring approximately 70 metres square is affected.
Firefighters used using four-wheel drive vehicles and water, and there are no reports of injuries.
By lunchtime West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service firefighters had left the scene but one East Sussex Fire and Rescue crew remained damping the area down.
A spokesperson said: “Please take additional care when enjoying the outdoors during the hot spell” and urged people to follow this advice:
- Don’t drop cigarettes or other burning material on dry ground.
- Keep children away from lighters and matches.
- Avoid having barbecues in parks and public spaces other than designated areas.
- Don’t use barbecues directly on the ground where they are more likely to lead to fire spread or injury.
- Avoid having BBQs / campfires or using fireworks and paper lanterns during hot, dry spells and always have a bucket of water or sand nearby for emergency use.
- Never leave campfires or barbecues unattended and extinguish them properly after you have finished using them.
- Bin it! Dispose of glass bottles properly, they can magnify sunlight, starting fires.