Farm Fires Sweep English Countryside, Threatening Crops and Homes

Firefighters battled a large blaze at Milton Farm in the Pembridge and Shobdon area of Herefordshire on Sunday evening. Eight crews from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, supported by neighboring stations, worked through the night as thick smoke was seen up to 30 miles away. No casualties were reported, but the dry spell in the county has raised concerns about further wildfire risk.

A separate incident unfolded at Hackpen Hill in Wiltshire, where a haystack ignited and burned for more than 24 hours. About 250 bales of hay were lost, and a tractor was used to cut a fire break. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service kept a crew on site to prevent spread. Again, no injuries were reported, and the fire highlighted the vulnerability of farms during prolonged dry weather.