Fire crews have brought a substantial grassland blaze at Middlewick Ranges under control after an extensive operation that involved approximately 50 firefighters and 14 appliances.
Scale of the response and public impacts
The incident, which broke out on Friday morning, was visible across Colchester and the surrounding area as flames and thick smoke rose from the site. Firefighters declared the location fully surrounded by 11.45am, and teams remained on scene throughout the day to revisit the area and extinguish any remaining hotspots.
Residents reported a plume of smoke lingering over the town for several hours. A number of roads were closed for safety during the incident, with Mersea Road and Abbots Road among those affected.
Fire service advice and ongoing work
An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesman advised members of the public to take care before calling the service, saying many reports of smoke were in fact dust from the site. The service asked people to observe before phoning so crews can prioritise genuine emergencies.
"We're currently receiving a number of calls reporting smoke, but many are turning out to be dust from the site. If it's safe to do so, please take a moment to observe before calling to help us prioritise genuine emergencies."
Crews continue to patrol the area to ensure the ground is safe and that no embers remain that could re-ignite the fire. The site will be monitored throughout the day and into the evening until officers are satisfied it poses no further risk.
Community reaction and concerns about risk
Hundreds of residents gathered to watch the response, describing scenes of shock and concern as the flames blackened the field. Local councillor Dave Harris highlighted the seasonal risk of grass fires and urged the Ministry of Defence — which uses the ranges — to take steps to protect nearby households and people who use the land for recreation.
"This is an annual event - whenever there is dry weather grass becomes a huge tinder risk. The army ought to be doing something about it to protect people who live closest with their gardens, sheds and homes."
Mr Harris also warned of wider implications, referencing other recent large fires in the UK and Europe as evidence that preparation is needed for drier conditions.
What residents should know
- Crews will continue to check the site for hotspots; residents should avoid the area while operations continue.
- If you see smoke, consider whether it may be dust or a non-emergency before calling the fire service to allow prioritisation of resources.
- Follow local travel updates for any road closures, particularly around Mersea Road and Abbots Road.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and local authorities will publish further updates if the situation changes. For now, responders remain in the area to ensure the scene is rendered safe and to reduce the risk of any renewed fire activity.
