A wildfire erupted at Barr Beacon, a UK beauty spot and nature reserve in Great Barr, Walsall, on Sunday afternoon.
West Midlands Fire Service confirmed it was called to a large grassland fire there, with eight fire crews tackling the significant blaze as thick smoke billowed into the sky.
Road closed and residents urged to stay indoors
Officers were photographed blocking three entrances to Barr Beacon earlier in the afternoon. Beacon Road has been shut in both directions from B4151 Beacon Hill to Bridle Lane. The fire service is urging local residents to keep windows and doors shut and to steer clear of the area wherever possible.
Further fires in Hay Mills and Perry Barr
A separate fire was also spreading in Hay Mills, with video footage submitted to Birmingham Live showing enormous plumes of smoke and ferocious flames. Kingfisher Park in Hay Mills was struck by a grass fire thought to have ignited at around 4pm, and West Midlands Police officers were present directing members of the public away from the flames.
Another grassland fire broke out in Perry Hall Playing Fields in Perry Barr, where members of the public were warned to "avoid the area" as thick clouds of smoke rose. The park was busy with families as the European Cycle Speedway 2026 tournament was taking place on the opposite side of the park.
Resident-submitted drone footage revealed a vast stretch of grass left entirely blackened. Six crews were dispatched to tackle the blaze off Perry Avenue, which rapidly engulfed a substantial area of meadow at approximately 12.45pm. Families who had gathered kept well away from the smoke.
