Firefighters from 23 fire stations spanning East Sussex, West Sussex and Kent came together to fight a giant fire at Ashdown Forest yesterday. 

The first of several 999 calls to the service was received at 13:57 to deal with a serious fire on Ashdown Forest, just off the A22 north of Wych Cross by the ‘Long car park’.

Fire crew from across the service area were called to fight the blaze and at the height of the incident a total of sixteen fire engines were in attendance.

Up to ten 4x4 vehicles were also used, a water carrier, and two incident command units. 

The Police helicopter attended to help give the Incident Commander an aerial reconnaissance of the fire.

It is estimated the fire involved twenty hectares of forest. South East Coast Ambulance also attended.

A spokeswoman for East Sussex Fire and Rescue said: "This has been a large protracted incident with crews working tirelessly to bring it under control.

"The incident is now subsequently being scaled down, and the cause of the fire now under investigation."

On Twitter people reported seeing "huge plumes" of smoke emerging from the forest and onto the A272.

Speaking yesterday a Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "Police were called just before 2.30pm this afternoon following a report of a large fire in Ashdown Forest.

"The blaze is currently being dealt with by the East Sussex Fire and Rescue, which has 16 pumps in attendance.

"Around 20 hectares are thought to be affected by the fire.

"The police helicopter is attending to give an overall view of the fire. There are no reports of smoke issuing across roads or danger to life or property."

The fire stations called into action were Uckfield, Crowborough, Haywards Heath, Newhaven, Wadhurst, Seaford, Barcombe, Burgess Hill, Hailsham, Mayfield, Hove, Lewes, Shoreham, Forest Row, Tunbridge Wells, Battle, Broadoak, Crawley, Storrington, Petworth and Brighton.

Email pictures of the blaze to news@theargus.co.uk