Eight fire crews were sent to the Barr Beacon nature reserve in Great Barr, Walsall, with other blazes also at Perry Hall Playing Fields and Kingfisher Park in Birmingham
A large fire has broken out at another UK beauty spot as people have been told to avoid the area.
Eight fire engines were sent to the Barr Beacon nature reserve in Great Barr, Walsall, to tackle the fire today. Police officers were blocking three entrances to the nature reserve this afternoon as smoke was billowing into the sky.
A statement from West Midlands Fire Service this afternoon reads: “We have eight crews in attendance at Barr Beacon, Great Barr, where they’ve responded to a large grassland fire. Please avoid the area where possible.”
BirminghamLive reports Beacon Road was closed in both directions due to the fire, between B4151 Beacon Hill and Bridle Lane. Barr Beacon is described as “one of the highest points in the West Midlands”, offering “spectacular views” over Birmingham.
This isn’t the only grassland fire in the West Midlands today as the fire service also confirmed crews were in attendance at Perry Avenue. People were once again asked to avoid the area after the blaze broke out at Perry Hall Playing Fields, with six crews sent to the scene.
Many families were present at the park at the time of the fire as the European Cycle Speedway 2026 tournament was held there. Drone footage showed a huge section of grass completely burnt as flames quickly spread through a large meadow area around 1pm.
A third fire is burning at Kingfisher Park in Hay Mills, east Birmingham, with large plumes of smoke and fierce flames visible. This incident is understood to have started around 4pm.
Many fires in the open have started across the UK in recent weeks as the country battles extended periods of scorching temperatures and low precipitations. Seven regions in England – half of the country – were placed in drought earlier this week by the Government, including London, East Anglia, Hertfordshire, and West Midlands.
The whole of Wales is also in drought.
