Firefighters battle through the night to contain huge wildfire
Last updated 12th Jul 2025
Firefighters have battled through the night in a bid to contain a wild fire in Northumberland which was so big it could be seen from more than 20 miles away.
Eight pumps were called out to Holburn after the alarm was raised around 8.40pm on Friday.
Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service says the incident remains ongoing.·
And locals are urged to avoid the area.
Images shared online show a huge plume of smoke rising from the flames on a hillside, not far from homes.
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One eyewitness, who farms nearby, said it was "frightening to see how it spread", with the blaze covering a "massive area".
"My husband and brother-in-law are out assisting crews," she added. "The main objective was to stop it from getting into Kyloe wood.
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"My brother-in-law dug a firebreak with our loader and we’ve been pumping water out the pond as the appliances only carry such a small volume of course and there are no hydrants up here.
"It's still burning but (now under control), and they’ve had the drone out to check for hot spots and anything reigniting."
Another said: "Can see it in High Newton, hope all crews stay safe."
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The risk of wild fires has prompted a Northumberland tourist attraction to halt steam train services "for the foreseeable future". A diesel engine is pulling services at Heatherslaw Light Railway instead this weekend.
And, as water temperatures rise, the River Tweed Commission is urging anglers to take extra care when fishing for salmon and trout to help protect fish stocks.
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