Wildfire rips through Winnie the Pooh forest

Two fires broke out at a Sussex forest famous for being the setting of Winnie the Pooh.
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Firefighters were sent to battle the flames, which have ripped through hundreds of metres of woodland in two separate parts of Ashdown Forest today (February 26).

Seven fire appliances, including specialist Land Rovers and a command support unit, were sent to the scene in Millbrook Hill, Nutley, after the alarm was raised at 12.31pm.

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Then at 1.37pm, another blaze was reported at Kidds Kill. Four appliances were scrambled to tackle the blaze, said East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS), including crews from West Sussex.

Photo by Dan JessupPhoto by Dan Jessup
Photo by Dan Jessup

A spokesperson said that at Kidds Hill one hose reel jet is being used to tackle flames engulfing 200 metres of gorse and undergrowth.

Members of the public were warned to avoid the area.

A spokesperson for ESFRS said at around 5.15pm today, “Wildfires in Nutley and Ashdown Forest now under control. Crews damping down for hot spots.

“Both incidents due to be scaled back at dusk. Farm machinery used to create fire break and prevent spread.

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“Advice given to those temporarily unable to gain access to property, no injuries.”

A. A. Milne based his world-famous Winnie the Pooh books on his son Christopher Robin’s adventures in the real life Hundred Acre Wood- which is the Ashdown Forest, in East Sussex.

Photo and video by Dan Jessup.