Nottingham fire: crews battle underground blaze at Rainworth

Crews are tackling a large woodland blaze at Strawberry Hill Heath in Rainworth that is still burning underground, even when it looks like “just smoke.” In this nottingham fire incident, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service says specialist wildfire equipment is being used and the public should avoid the area while firefighters work to fully extinguish it.

Key Takeaways

• The fire is burning underground, so visible smoke can hide ongoing heat below the surface.
• The affected area was reported as about 10,000 sqm, with crews returning as it continued to burn.
• Specialist wildfire units and equipment (including a misting lance) are being used to target hotspots beneath the ground.
• Residents and visitors have been asked to avoid Strawberry Hill Heath while operations continue.

A fire that “won’t quit” is one of the toughest scenarios for emergency crews—and it’s exactly what Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) is dealing with at Strawberry Hill Heath, a woodland area in Rainworth. The service says the blaze is burning below the surface, making it harder to put out than a straightforward surface fire. The BBC reported firefighters were called on Monday afternoon and remained at the scene into the night, before returning on Tuesday as the fire continued underground across about 10,000 square metres.

For people nearby, the practical advice has been simple: keep away. NFRS has warned the public to avoid the area while crews tackle the incident, noting these kinds of fires can be difficult to extinguish because they can burn deep underground.

What happened in the nottingham fire at Strawberry Hill Heath?

According to the BBC, crews were called to Strawberry Hill Heath in Rainworth on Monday afternoon. Firefighters stayed into the night and returned the next day after the fire was still burning below the surface. Station manager Richard Booth told the BBC the affected area was about 10,000 sqm (108,000 sq ft).

Local reporting echoed the same core challenge: it may not look dramatic, but it’s not over. West Bridgford Wire reported that crews were still working to extinguish the fire and that, although it may appear to be producing only smoke, it was still burning underground.

Mansfield and Ashfield Chad described the scene as a large outdoor fire at the woodland/nature reserve, with firefighters remaining on site after battling for hours overnight. The outlet also reported that Strawberry Hill Heath covers 23 hectares and is part of the historic Sherwood Forest area.

Why is an underground woodland fire so hard to put out?

The main problem is deceptively simple: what you see above ground doesn’t tell you what’s happening beneath it. NFRS said that “although it may only appear to be smoke, the fire is still burning underground,” and warned that these types of fires are difficult to extinguish because they can burn deep underground.

That means a blaze can keep smouldering out of sight, with heat and burning material below the surface that doesn’t respond as quickly to standard hose-lines aimed at visible flames. It also means crews often have to spend longer monitoring, damping down, and returning to ensure reignition doesn’t happen.

In a time when high temperatures have been reported across parts of the country, the fire service also urged the public to take extra care outdoors—specifically mentioning barbecues, cigarettes, and glass bottles, and asking people to take rubbish home after visiting open spaces (as reported by West Bridgford Wire and the BBC’s coverage of NFRS statements).

How are firefighters tackling the blaze right now?

The firefighting approach is specialized because the problem is specialized. NFRS said equipment from its wildfire units is being used on scene.

West Bridgford Wire reported that crews from across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire were continuing to deal with the incident, and that firefighters from Ashfield Fire Station were among those called to the scene.

Mansfield and Ashfield Chad published a quote from Nottinghamshire Fire Service station manager Rich Booth describing the scale of the response and the tactic being used. He said multiple appliances attended, including the wildfire unit from Eastwood and Tuxford, and that crews were back again the next morning with multiple appliances. Crucially, he described a “specialist misting lance” that can be forced down into the ground to spray a mist and put the fire out underground—targeting the hidden burning areas rather than only what can be seen at the surface.

For the most authoritative ongoing updates on the incident, the BBC report is here: BBC News: Crews tackle woodland fire burning underground.

What should locals and visitors do (and what’s the bigger takeaway)?

NFRS has been direct in its public messaging: avoid the area while firefighters continue operations. That matters not only for public safety—smoke, hazards underfoot, and active emergency work—but also because extra footfall can make access harder for crews and increase risk in dry outdoor spaces.

It also matters in a less obvious way that fits the “Wealth Hacks & Passive Income” lens: outdoor incidents can disrupt routines and income streams tied to local movement. If you rely on weekend foot traffic, outdoor events, short-term rental bookings, or local service routes, even a temporary “avoid the area” request can shift patterns fast.

The credible “wealth hack” here isn’t a gimmick; it’s resilience. Incidents like this underline a few evergreen principles that apply whether you’re running a small side hustle or building passive-income assets:

1) Build buffers into your income plan. If your strategy depends on steady demand every day, it’s fragile. Diversifying channels (online + local, multiple platforms, more than one niche) can reduce the damage from sudden disruptions.

2) Know your operational risks. If your income is tied to outdoor locations—markets, guided walks, mobile food, photography sessions—have a Plan B for rebooking, alternate routes, and communication. When the fire service says “avoid the area,” you need a ready-made customer message and a fallback option.

3) Review what you can control. The fire service’s reminder—take care with barbecues, cigarettes, glass bottles, and rubbish—highlights how small actions can have outsized outcomes in open spaces. For asset owners and operators, basic risk discipline (clean sites, clear rules, good signage where relevant, and safe disposal) is part of protecting long-term value.

If you’re building income streams and want more practical, low-drama guides, browse our hub here: Wealth Hacks & Passive Income.

For now, the story of this nottingham fire is a reminder that “smoke only” doesn’t mean “problem solved.” Underground fires can linger, and crews may need time—and specialist tools—to finish the job properly.