Pictures show the devastation following a wildfire which has destroyed 1.5 hectares of woodland

Firefighters tackled a large scale wildfire which involved over 1.5 hectares of woodland - the equivalent of almost two football pitches.
Crews remained at the scene checking for hotspots until the early hours of this morning. Pictures by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue ServiceCrews remained at the scene checking for hotspots until the early hours of this morning. Pictures by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service
Crews remained at the scene checking for hotspots until the early hours of this morning. Pictures by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service

County Durham Fire and Rescue Service were called to the wildfire yesterday evening off the A181 road between Wheatley Hill and Wingate.

Members of the public were told avoid the area where possible as crews aboard six fire engines tackled the blaze.

The pictures were taken as firefighters managed to get the wildfire off the A181 under control. Pictures by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue ServiceThe pictures were taken as firefighters managed to get the wildfire off the A181 under control. Pictures by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service
The pictures were taken as firefighters managed to get the wildfire off the A181 under control. Pictures by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service
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Images posted by the fire and rescue service show the damage to around 1.5 hectares of woodland - the size of almost two football pitches.

The operation was scaled back at around midnight and remaining crews checked for hotspots.

A spokesman for the brigade said: "At its height six appliances and an off road vehicle attended the woodland fire on the A181. An assessment will be made this morning as to whether appliances need to be redeployed."

A specialised targeted response vehicle and the brigade's bulk water tanker were among the equipment used to fight the fire.