‘Devastating’: Forestry England Reveals More Than 12 Hectares Damaged By Ingrebourne Hill Fires.

More than 12 hectares of land at Ingrebourne Hill have been damaged by recent fires, with Forestry England describing the scale of destruction to grassland and trees as “devastating”.

Ingrebourne Valley between Elm Park and Rainham, has been plagued by repeated fires, with residents reporting blazes across the area on an increasingly regular basis during the recent hot and dry weather.

Now Forestry England, which manages the 44-hectare woodland at Ingrebourne Hill, has revealed the extent of the damage and warned that wildfires are becoming an increasing threat.

A spokesperson for Forestry England told the Havering Daily:

“Forestry England manages the 44-hectare woodland at Ingrebourne Hill, where grass fires have sadly become increasingly common. More than 12 hectares have been damaged in recent fires. Wildfires are a growing threat to the nation’s forests as climate change leads to more frequent periods of hot, dry weather and drought. Our grassland and meadow habitats provide vital corridors for wildlife, including butterflies and breeding birds, but they are particularly vulnerable to fire during the summer months. The scale of damage to both grassland and trees has been devastating this year.

Due to the widespread nature of this issue across the Ingrebourne Valley and the wider borough, Forestry England has been working closely with local landowners, Havering Council and the emergency services to support investigations and reduce the impact of future fires. We are aware of reports that some fires may have been started deliberately. If you see a wildfire or suspect someone of starting a fire, call 999 immediately.

Each year, we maintain fire breaks along residential boundaries and have increased grass cutting across the site. Neighbouring residents can help by not fly-tipping or leaving litter in fire breaks adjacent to their properties. This is a particular issue along Rainham Road, Victory Road, Stanhope Road, South End Road, Guysfield Drive and Avelon Road. Visitors can also help prevent wildfires by not lighting campfires, not using barbecues, including disposable barbecues, taking litter home, and ensuring cigarettes are fully extinguished and disposed of safely.

We will continue to monitor the situation and review our land management approach. Establishing new trees has been challenging because of the high number of fires. Despite this, we were delighted to work with the London Fire Brigade to plant trees at Ingrebourne Hill and hope to do so again this winter.

Ingrebourne Hill has benefited from a range of improvements in recent years, including new signage, waymarked trails, additional benches and a more accessible car park layout. The site provides valuable green space for local communities and offers excellent off-road walking routes connecting to Hornchurch Country Park and beyond. We are grateful to the fire and rescue service, police and partner organisations for their continued efforts during extremely challenging conditions.”

The figures paint a stark picture.

More than 12 hectares have been damaged by recent fires at Ingrebourne Hill alone — an area of land which provides important habitat for wildlife and forms part of a much wider green corridor through the borough.

Forestry England says the grassland and meadow habitats are particularly vulnerable during the summer months.

Among those affected are butterflies and breeding birds, with the repeated fires putting pressure on habitats which have taken years to establish.

And it is not only the grassland that has suffered.

Trees have also been damaged, with Forestry England revealing that establishing new trees has become increasingly difficult because of the number of fires.

The organisation has been working alongside Havering Council, local landowners, the London Fire Brigade and emergency services as investigations continue and efforts are made to reduce the risk of further incidents.

Importantly, Forestry England says it is aware of reports that some fires may have been started deliberately.

That does not mean every fire has been confirmed as deliberate, and the causes of individual incidents remain a matter for investigation.

But the warning is stark.

If you see a wildfire, call 999 immediately.

Forestry England is also urging residents and visitors to play their part.

The organisation has increased grass cutting and continues to maintain fire breaks along residential boundaries.

Residents living near the site are being asked not to fly-tip or leave litter in fire breaks, while visitors are being urged not to light campfires or barbecues, including disposable barbecues.

People are also being reminded to take their litter home and ensure cigarettes are completely extinguished and disposed of safely.

For residents living around Ingrebourne Valley, the latest warning comes after weeks of repeated fires which have seen firefighters called to the area time and again.

Each blaze puts additional pressure on emergency services and risks destroying more of the green space which local communities use every day.

Despite the destruction, Forestry England says it remains committed to restoring and improving the site.

The organisation recently worked with the London Fire Brigade to plant trees at Ingrebourne Hill and hopes to repeat the work this winter.

But the challenge is becoming increasingly obvious.

You cannot keep planting trees if fire keeps destroying them.

Ingrebourne Hill is a much-loved part of Havering’s green landscape, providing walking routes and connecting communities with Hornchurch Country Park and the wider Ingrebourne Valley.

It is also home to wildlife which has no voice when the flames arrive.

With more than 12 hectares already damaged, Forestry England’s description of the destruction as “devastating” underlines just how serious the situation has become.

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