Firefighters say cause of large wildfire unknown
BBCA fire service has said it has been unable to determine the cause of a large wildfire which raged across fields near a university.
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) said it received calls about the blaze near Durham University's Graham Sports Centre at about 14:18 BST on Sunday.
It said strong wind had caused it to spread rapidly with the fire covering an area the size of 14 football pitches at its height.
CDDFRS said it put the fire out in about two hours but had not been able to determine its cause.
Natural England has warned of a "very high" or "exceptional" risk of fires across much of England - as well as Wales - over the next few days.
Dry weather does not, on its own, cause wildfires - there needs to be a source of ignition too, such as a spark from a barbecue or a discarded cigarette.
However, dry conditions remove moisture from vegetation, making it more able to burn and act as fuel for blazes to take hold and spread.
The conditions the UK is experiencing so far this summer mirror the warnings given by climate scientists that human-induced climate change would lead to more frequent and intense heatwaves, as well as potential summer droughts.
