Pictures show the devastation following a wildfire which has destroyed 1.5 hectares of woodland
County Durham Fire and Rescue Service were called to the wildfire yesterday evening off the A181 road between Wheatley Hill and Wingate.
Members of the public were told avoid the area where possible as crews aboard six fire engines tackled the blaze.
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Hide AdImages posted by the fire and rescue service show the damage to around 1.5 hectares of woodland - the size of almost two football pitches.
The operation was scaled back at around midnight and remaining crews checked for hotspots.
A spokesman for the brigade said: "At its height six appliances and an off road vehicle attended the woodland fire on the A181. An assessment will be made this morning as to whether appliances need to be redeployed."
A specialised targeted response vehicle and the brigade's bulk water tanker were among the equipment used to fight the fire.