DRYBROOK Parish Council has urged residents to remain vigilant after a fire close to homes at Harrow Hill on Sunday, July 26 highlighted the wildfire risk facing the Forest of Dean during the recent spell of hot, dry weather.

The warning follows a blaze which burned an area measuring around 120 metres by 50 metres and took firefighters approximately three hours to extinguish.

According to the parish council, the fire started very close to nearby homes and was reported within minutes, with crews arriving in around 10 minutes. Despite the quick response, firefighters remained at the scene for several hours before bringing the incident under control.

The council said the cause was not arson, a barbecue or a bonfire, but a faulty overhead cable.

In a statement, the authority said recent media coverage of major wildfires across France, Spain, North Wales, northern England and Scotland showed how quickly fires can spread during prolonged dry conditions.

While the Forest of Dean has largely escaped significant wildfire incidents so far this summer, councillors said the Harrow Hill fire served as an important reminder for residents to stay alert and help protect the area's woodlands and communities.

The council encouraged people to remind friends, family and neighbours to take extra care outdoors and urged anyone who noticed or smelt smoke to investigate safely and alert the emergency services if necessary, rather than assuming somebody else had already reported it.

One local resident described the incident as "so sad to see" and said it was especially concerning for people living so close to the forest.

They added: "Hopefully everyone will be more aware and alert during this very hot time, so everyone can enjoy the Forest of Dean for years to come."

Fire services continue to urge the public to take extra care during periods of hot, dry weather when vegetation can ignite quickly.