FEARS have been raised about the impact of the ongoing heatwave following another field fire.

Firefighters were called to scrubland in Mersea Road, Colchester, shortly before 11pm on Wednesday after a grass fire started close to Middlewick Ranges.

When the crew from the Colchester station arrived, they found the blaze measuring about ten metres square.

The fire officers were able to contain the blaze and put it out within half an hour.

Onlooker Elliott Darlow said the fire looked to have spread quickly but was contained to an area close to the entrance of the ranges.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed it was aware of the fire but said it happened on land just outside the ranges.

The prolonged spell of dry weather - which has seen almost no rain in Essex for six weeks - has caused a number of field fires across the county.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for potential slow moving thunderstorms today.

But Tom Defty from the Essex Weather Centre said any prolonged rain was unlikely and warned temperatures could rise to the mid 30s next week.

“Our country is not prepared for temperatures in the 30s for several days,” he said.

“Our houses don’t have air conditioning and the infrastructure like trains also can’t cope.”

A huge fire broke out on the ranges earlier this month with nine appliances called to the scene and residents told to shut their doors and windows because of the huge billowing clouds of smoke.

Smaller fires have been reported since then.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service head of community safety Lee Lucas has issued a warning to try to ensure people stay safe during the warm weather.

He said: “The weather has made our countryside very dry and the risk of fires increase.

“We want everyone to have fun and enjoy the weather by going outside, but it is important to stay fire aware when out and about to ensure we can minimalise the fire risk.

“We have seen incidents involving bonfires which have spread out of control because the ground is so dry. “These fires can be devastating and can cause significant damage.

“They can take hold and spread at great speed.

“If you’re thinking of having a bonfire please reconsider and wait until the current weather conditions have subsided.”

Safety advice when you are on dry ground includes extinguishing cigarettes properly, tidying away glass bottle which can magnify sunlight and report any countryside fires immediately to the fire service.

Nobody should attempt to tackle the flames themselves using water and should leave the area as soon as possible.