FIREFIGHTERS are warning the heatwave has left areas of grassland like a “tinderbox” after two separate fires raged through County Durham on Sunday.

The first fire started at Hurworth Burn, near Hartlepool, at 1.42pm, affecting around 7,000 sq m of woodland on the Tinnery Plantation.

A second fire near Langley Park, between Durham and Lanchester, started at around 2pm, affecting 8,000 sq m of woodland on the Stainsbybank plantation.

At its peak, around 30 firefighters were tackling the blaze, with extra fire engines called to transport water to the scene as the service’s bulk water tank was at Hurworth Burn.

Durham station manager John Jameson said: “The ground is like a tinderbox at the minute, it’s so dry. Any fire in grass or bushes is going to cause problems unless we get some serious rain.

“We’d like to remind the public if they are smoking or having barbecues to think about where they are using those items and to make sure they are fully put out.

“It’s so dry any spark or flame can cause huge problems. It really is a problem for all the fire services in the region.”

Crews from Durham, Consett and retained staff from Durham attended the Langley Park fire, while crews from Cleveland, Peterlee, Sedgefield and Durham were in Hurworth Burn.

The causes of the fires are not yet known.

The fire service is monitoring both scenes after stop calls were made at around 10.30am on Monday.

A fire service spokesperson said: “Please remember our advice to help prevent rubbish, grass and tree fires from happening. Even with today’s rainfall, the grass and trees are extremely dry from recent conditions.

“Ensure your BBQ or campfire is in a suitable location and is fully extinguished.

“Extinguish and dispose of cigarettes correctly.

“Don’t leave bottles/glass outside. Sunlight shining through can start fires

“Remember to call 999 immediately if you discover a fire it can spread extremely quickly in hot weather.”

Meanwhile, in North Yorkshire, a fire from a combine harvester spread to a stubble field and straw, with five crews from Malton, Sherburn, Knaresborough and York needed to put out the blaze.