Mayor praises 'tireless' firefighters tackling Holme Fen blaze
More than 80 firefighters have been trying to keep the fire under control
The mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has thanked more than 80 firefighters involved in tackling the Holme Fen fire.
Paul Bristow says crews have been "working tirelessly" since last Saturday, while ensuring resources remain available for other emergencies across the county.
In a letter to the county's chief fire officer Matthew Warren, Mr Bristow said "it is clearly a significant operation, involving more than 80 firefighters alongside support from neighbouring services, Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade, Airbourne Solutions and the local farming community.
"It has been impressive to see everyone working together in such difficult circumstances.
"Please pass on my thanks and appreciation to all the crews who have been working tirelessly since Saturday to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further."
It's the second fire at the nature reserve - between Ramsey and Peterborough - within the last month.
Firefighters believe that fire was started deliberately, with crews from as far as Merseyside stepping in to help with the current blaze.
'One of the most significant fires in years'
In its most recent update, the fire service has said the blaze at Holme Fen covers around 60 football pitches, deep seated in peat.
Matthew Warren, the county's chief fire officer, said the fire has been "one of the most significant our county has faced in many, many years.
"Our crews have been amazing in the face of gruelling conditions; every station across the county has been at the site over the course of the week," he said.
"Our control operators have also done an exceptional job in making sure we maintain cover for other emergencies across the county and responding to 999 calls, both from our residents and for other busy services around the country.”
Mr Warren said fire engines nationwide have come in to help out local firefighters, and thanked those such as local businesses and residents who have supported crews so far.
Warning for residents
People living in the Peterborough area have been warned by the fire service to keep their windows and doors closed if they are being affected by smoke due to a change in wind direction.
In a statement, Simon Thompson - area commander at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue - said firefighters are working tirelessly in arduous conditions, amidst challenging terrain and unstable ground.
North West Cambridgeshire MP Sam Carling praised the local community for their support for fire crews.
"The community has come together to help, with local farmers stepping in with additional water in order to protect what is one of the last fragments of ancient wild fen," he said.
Also in his letter to environment minister Emma Hardy, Mr Carling said the pressure on local water supplies "has been immense", and asked what can be done to help ease these issues.
In his own letter, Mr Bristow acknowledged that the prolonged hot, dry weather has meant fire crews have been working in "extremely challenging conditions.
"I am also very conscious that this incident comes alongside a number of other significant fires the Service has had to deal with, while continuing to ensure crews and resources remain available to respond to the normal range of emergency callouts across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough," he added.
The fire service has said it expects to be at Holme Fen "for the foreseeable future" but does not anticipate any significant smoke coming from the area.