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Lake District fire: Helicopter used to fight Whinlatter Forest blaze

Keswick Fire Station Wildfire, ThornthwaiteKeswick Fire Station
Nine fire engines dealt with the fire, which broke out in open scrubland

A helicopter has joined nine engines in the fight against a grass fire that broke out near a Lake District forest.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) said the blaze on an embankment at Thornthwaite near Whinlatter Forest began on Friday.

Crews remain at the scene fighting the fire, supported by the helicopter.

A CFRS spokesman said the cause of the 5,300 sq ft (500 sq m) wildfire, which was burning in open scrubland, was not known.

CFRS incident commander Stuart Hook said due to the recent dry conditions, people were being urged not to set campfires or use barbecues in the area.

He said a fire in such conditions "gets away from you really quickly" and the service "just want people to be really vigilant".

CFRS Helicopter used to fight fireCFRS
The fire service's efforts are being supported by a helicopter
CFRS Thornthwaite wildfireCFRS
Motorists were asked to avoid nearby roads and people were urged to stay away from the area
Keswick Fire Station Wildfire, ThornthwaiteKeswick Fire Station
Crews remain on scene fighting the fire

In a statement on Facebook, Forestry England thanked all the emergency services and reminded people that "our fire risk in the forest remains high" due to the recent dry conditions.

The Met Office said that April is on track to be one of the driest on record.

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