A WOODLAND fire raged through the treetops as firefighters fought to keep it under control.

Crews from Bracknell and Wokingham Fire Stations as well as four stations in Reading spent all night at Swinley Forest in South Ascot last night after the blaze was reported at around 5pm yesterday (Saturday).

The fire, close to the Woodlands Ride entrance to the forest, quickly spread to an area of about 20 acres, burning through the undergrowth and up pine trees as well as spreading through the peat under the ground.

Firefighter Rob Evans from Bracknell said: "The fire crowned, which means it broke through the tops of the trees, this can be very dangerous because it starts spreading very fast.

"There are houses all along Woodlands Ride, the fire wasn't close to them but it had the potential to spread." The six crews as well as specialist equipment from Hampshire and Maidenhead worked to get the fire under control by putting down a gravel perimeter around the blaze and damping down the area within this space.

It is believed that the fire was caused by the hot and dry weather and fire crews are expecting to see more fires like this if the weather stays warm.

Bracknell and Wokingham Fire Stations also continue to tackle a fire in the Crowthorne area of Swinley Forest which has been burning for several days in the peat under the ground near Foresters Way.

Once fire gets into peat it can travel under ground and spring up in another place.

Members of the public are being warned to stay out of Swinley Forest where the fires are burning and to keep a look out when out walking.

Firefighter Evans added: "If the weather stays like this fires like these will be pretty normal all summer.

"It can be something as simple as glass in the grass that sets something like this off."