Yesterday a nice afternoon walk that began with us enjoying the beautiful surroundings of our local heathland – Barossa Common, ended with dismay and sorrow. Just 15 minutes after we started out we were shocked to find an area of the heath that we’d just walked, ablaze and spreading.

I am glad to say that following a call to the fire services, and reassurance that help was already on it’s way, the brilliant Surrey Fire And Rescue services were on the scene.

I returned this afternoon, 24 hours later, with a certain dread. The fire had been intense and the wind had caused it to spread in a matter of minutes. However, despite what you will see here, the fire service did an absolutely amazing job of dousing the flames and preventing more of heathland being destroyed. In a matter of weeks I’m sure this area will be well into recovery. Lets hope wildlife that could move did move in time. I don’t know what caused this fire, it’s not really for me to speculate, but it’s the latest in a series of Surrey heathland fires. I really hope it’s the last.