Update (20th): The fire on the Ashdown Forest is believed to have been caused by a barbecue. A bye-law prohibits use of barbeques.
At 8pm last night East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service were called to a fire near Gills Lap car park on Ashdown Forest.
Six appliances and four Landrovers from the fire services for East Sussex, West Sussex and Kent were sent to the scene.
Crews worked throughout the night to control a deep seated fire in a large area of gorse thicket near the memorial plaque for AA Milne and EH Shepard, the author and illustrator of the Winnie-the-Pooh books.
Working closely with Forest Rangers, they used beaters, hose reels and backpacks to extinguish the fire.
Sussex Police who assisted with road closures.
The cause of the fire is unknown at present.
Due to the current dry weather climate, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service wish to remind everyone that whilst they recognise the importance of outdoor exercise for health and wellbeing, they ask that you are considerate in the disposal of rubbish and cigarettes, ensuring that cigarettes are extinguished appropriately and all rubbish is placed in bins or taken home with you to help stop these fires.
All the more reason not to make the proposed cuts.