At 3:17pm on Friday, 14 August, we received reports of a fire on Crookham Common near Thatcham.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service crews from Caversham Road, Newbury, Wokingham, Mortimer, Langley, Whitley Wood and Theale fire stations were sent to the scene alongside a crew from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue’s Drone Team.

They were joined by two Officers, off-road vehicles from Lambourn and Mortimer fire stations, an Incident Command Unit and off-road vehicle from Maidenhead Fire Station, and the ‘Zetros’ Water Carrier from Bracknell Fire Station.

On arrival, crews discovered a wildfire involving approximately two hectares of scrubland. Firefighters used several hose reels, a hose reel jet, farm machinery and the ‘Zetros’ Water Carrier to extinguish the fire. Firefighters then used thermal imaging cameras and a drone to check the area for hotspots.

Firefighters were at the scene for approximately 21 hours and five minutes before handing the scene over to the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust. Crews returned to the scene to check for hotspots later on Saturday, 15 August.