Firefighters Battle Blazes as Wildfires Spread Across Essex

August 7, 2025

Essex is seeing a concerning rise in wildfires this summer, with numerous blazes devastating crops, harming wildlife, and threatening homes. The recent dry, hot weather has created a dangerous environment, leading to significant fires in multiple locations across the county.

This year's intense July heatwave fuelled large-scale fires in Maldon, Dagenham, Rainham, Stifford Clays, and Braintree. Thanks to the swift response of firefighters and the use of new equipment, including specialist blowers, crews were able to save both lives and property.

Just this week, crews from across the county were called to a major fire on Wallasea Island. Firefighters from Southend, Rayleigh, and Basildon, along with off-road vehicles from Burnham and Billericay and a water bowser from Corringham, worked tirelessly to tackle a blaze that consumed over 10 hectares of fields. Despite windy conditions, they successfully created a firebreak to stop the flames from spreading further.

A Call for Caution

With dry conditions expected to continue, the fire service is urging residents to take preventative measures to help reduce the risk of further wildfires.

"We need the public's help to prevent these dangerous fires from starting in the first place," a spokesperson for the fire service stated.

To help keep Essex safe, residents are asked to:

• Avoid bonfires and campfires.
• Do not use disposable barbecues.
• Dispose of cigarettes responsibly.

If you see a fire, call 999 immediately. The fire service also recommends using the what3words app to provide your exact location, which can help crews find and contain the fire as quickly as possible.