Fire crews stretched as heat sparks major incidents across Cornwall and Devon

Cornwall firefighters are in the thick of one of the toughest periods of the summer, with soaring temperatures, bone-dry ground and a spike in-heat related incidents stretching across the Duchy and beyond.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service says the current weather is creating “very hard work” for crews, who are dealing with heat-driven fires on top of their usual callouts. Stations across Cornwall and Devon were pushed to the capacity over a packed weekend of incidents.

Saturday – Farm workshop fire, Launceston

Crews from Launceston, Callington and Liskeard were supported by firefighters from across the region after a farm workshop broke out in Launceston. A farmhouse building measuring around 10m x 15m was found well alight, with teams working in intense heat to bring the blaze under control.

Later that day, Cornwall crews were sent to Plymouth to provide cover in the Greenbank area, attending a garden fire and two fire alarm activations.

Sunday – Tractor and baler fire spreads across fields near Lifton

At 11.34am on Sunday, crews from Launceston, Okehampton and Bere Alston were mobilised to a tractor and baler fire in a field of baled straw near Lifton.

On arrival, firefighters were met with a rapidly spreading blaze that had already consumed the entire field and was pushing into the neighbouring land.

The fire was heading towards other fields and a farmhouse, prompting crews to make up for further resources. In total:

• 8 appliances
• 2 4x4s
• 2 water bowsers from Crownhill and Liskeard 

Firefighters from Tavistock, Launceston, Okehampton, Bere Alston, Princetown, Bodmin, Callington, Bovey Tracey, Plympton and Holsworthy attended, alongside welfare support from Ivybridge and a command unit from Honiton. At the height of the incident, 54 firefighters were on scene, with additional appliances returning overnight to dampen hotspots.

Crews were back out at 4.30am on Monday to carry out final checks.

Farmers praised for vital support

The service has issued a heartfelt thank you to local farmers, who are also facing challenging conditions. Many stepped in to help cut fire breaks, smother burning areas with soil and provide crews with much‑needed drinks throughout the day.

Public urged to take extreme care

With Cornwall’s landscape tinder‑dry, the service is urging residents and visitors to avoid bonfires, barbecues and any type of fire that could spread. If a fire is absolutely necessary, crews ask that people stay with it at all times and keep extinguishing media close by.

“The majority of fires start small but will spread fast in these conditions.”

Farmers and contractors are encouraged to carry extinguishers when working with tractors or machinery in dry fields — a simple step that could save vehicles, crops and, in this case, more than 30 acres of straw.

Control room praised for ‘vital’ role

A special thank you has been extended to the fire service control room, which is experiencing exceptionally high demand. Staff were able to pinpoint the caller’s location within seconds during Sunday’s major incident, saving crucial time and ensuring the right appliances and equipment were deployed.

Although not seen on the ground, the service says control room operators carry out “the most vital role to us and the public.”