FIREFIGHTERS, farmers and landowners battled around two kilometres of gorse fire last Friday at Holming Beam, Princetown. Firefighters from Princetown and Tavistock attended around 2.50pm and found approximately 300 metres of grassland alight. Further crews were then requested, which came from Yelverton and Crownhill, along with the Incident Command Unit from Greenbank. The incident progressed and crews requested further assistance from Camels Head, Greenbank, Crownhill and Chagford. At around 4.30pm the fire had spred to a mile in length, being fanned by varying winds. Firefighters made their way on foot to the fire front using beaters. With assistance from farmers and landowners on quad bikes, and firefighters using one hose reel, the fire was extinguished. With sunny weather predicted for the Easter weekend many people enjoying Dartmoor have been advised to take care to prevent the start of gorse fires. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is reminding walkers and campers to be mindful of the impact and damage that a gorse fire has on the environment — and how it ties up valuable fire resources for some time. Following the incident in Princetown the fire service is advising people to be vigilant and follow some simple advice: • extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly • never throw cigarette ends out of car windows • don't leave bottles or glass in woodlands — sunlight shining through glass can start fires — take them home or put them in a waste or recycling bin • avoid using open fires in the countryside • if you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately • do not attempt to tackle fires that cannot be put out with a bucket of water — leave the area as quickly as possible.