Firefighters from five different stations tackled two major field fires in the space of just over two hours in the Ripon area yesterday (July 14) afternoon.

Crews from Ripon, Northallerton and Thirsk were called to a stubble field that was well alight at 2.59pm.

The location of the field, which measured about 200 metres x 100 metres, was given only as ‘Ripon’ by North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, whose incident report said:

“The fire then jumped a road and ignited a second field. Crew used four hose reel jets and were assisted by farmers creating fire breaks to extinguish and dampen down the fire.”

The fire service later told the Stray Ferret the incident was at Norton Conyers.

Shortly afterwards, at 5.21pm, crews were summoned to a large crop fire in a field at Melmerby.

Firefighters from Ripon, Thirsk, Northallerton and Richmond, plus the water bowser crew from Tadcaster, dealt with the blaze, which according to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service affected 10 acres.

It said:

“The crews worked alongside farmers to surround the fire and bring it under control. Agricultural machinery was utilised to create fire breaks and mitigate the fire’s spread. Police were requested to attend and close roads in the vicinity of the incident. Crews eventually extinguished the fire and dampened down the area.”

Gas canisters deliberately set alight

On a busy day for firefighters, crews from Harrogate also responded to a large rubbish fire measuring five metres by five metres at Pannal.

The incident report said:

“Gas cylinders were involved in the fire. Crews liaised with a hazardous materials officer and removed two Calor gas canisters from the fire. Crews used two hose reel jets and wildfire equipment to extinguish the fire and dampen down the area. The cause of the fire was believed to be deliberate.”

Northallerton Fire Station cancelled a planned open day last Saturday because of the number of incidents in the current dry spell.