Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service crews deployed specialist equipment on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, to extinguish a large underground wildfire covering 10,000 square meters at the Strawberry Hill Heath nature reserve in Rainworth.
Emergency crews initially responded to the historic Sherwood Forest area on Monday afternoon, June 6, at 4:52 p.
m. , battling the flames for seven hours overnight before returning to control the smouldering subsurface blaze.
Firefighters from multiple stations, including Ashfield Fire Station and wildfire units from Eastwood and Tuxford, are managing the incident as high temperatures from a third seasonal heatwave impact the region.
Fire Still Burning Underground
Station Manager Rich Booth established that the fire remains active beneath the soil despite appearing to only produce surface smoke.
"We had multiple appliances here and the wildfire unit from Eastwood and Tuxford, they were here for about six, seven hours last night and again we’re back here this morning and we’ve got multiple appliances again so if you could avoid the area for the rest of the day that would be great," said Booth.
The deployment involves a specialized misting lance to penetrate the ground and suppress the subterranean fire, which officials note is particularly difficult to extinguish.
"The problem is it may only look like it’s smouldering at the moment and smoking but the fire is still burning underneath so the specialist wildlife unit are using a specialist misting lance that they can force down into the ground and spray a mist and put the fire out underground," added Booth.
Officials urged the public to exercise extreme caution with open flames, waste disposal, and deep water safety during the current period of hot weather.
"If you are having barbecues make sure you’re safe, make sure they’re on bricks and make sure they’re out properly afterwards," stated Booth.
The fire service emphasized that items such as glass bottles and discarded cigarettes pose severe ignition risks in dry woodland environments.
"If you’re out walking in the woods, if you’re out walking your dog make sure any discarded cigarettes are out properly and make sure you take all your litter home with you," added Booth.
The hazardous conditions prompted additional safety warnings regarding local water bodies as emergency operations continue at the 23-hectare nature reserve.
"Also don’t be entering any unknown open water because we all know the dangers around that," warned Booth.
According to reports by the BBC, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service officially requested that local residents entirely avoid the woodland zone while containment efforts proceed.
"Although it may only appear to be smoke, the fire is still burning underground," stated the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The agency reiterated that subsurface burns present unique logistical challenges for first responders due to their depth.
"Firefighters are using specialist equipment from our wildfire units. Please avoid the area while our firefighters deal with this fire," added the service.
Emergency teams confirmed that these specific types of environmental blazes require prolonged resources to fully douse.
"These type of fires are difficult to extinguish as they can burn deep underground," explained the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.
As reported by West Bridgford Wire, crews from across both Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire remain engaged at the scene to ensure the fire does not breach the perimeter.
"Please be careful this time of year with BBQs, cigarettes, glass bottles. Take your rubbish home with you," added the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.
