Swinley on fire

t0pc4t

Any Berkshire locals know any details?

bracknelldave

the lookout and corale reef closed today more info below

http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/news/s/20 ... orest_fire

Dave

bracknelldave

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-13264201

t0pc4t

I am totally gutted, Swinley is my favourite place in the world bar none.

Thanks for the info Dave

bracknelldave

from the discovery centre to surrey hill seems to be ok at the moment but the crowthorne side on the way to broadmoor has been hit hard. at present fire is still heading into crowthrone

not good

Dave

t0pc4t

not good at all

apparently there was one on the Ascot side last week as well.

cooldad

Shouldn't be a problem. Trails won't be affected and fire is good for forests, lets new growth through. Although obviously that's a long term view.

cooldad

Although we onlyy saw a little one on the Ascot side, so maybe it's worse than I thought. Will see what it looks like on my way home tonight.

booldawg

Mrs Booldawg took the kids to the Coral Reef yesterday and said something about it. Glad I didnt stick the bike on the roof and go up with them as I usually do!

bracknelldave

fire engines just gone passed our road another fire has started similar place to where it started yesterday

t0pc4t

think the main one is down near Crowthorne Cooldad

stev68

We always had forest fires, at the back of my mums house every summer before they built the 2nd part of crown wood.the house used to stink of smoke most of the summer hols.
probally some dumbass dropped a fag butt or jump monkees dropping all their crap along the way to the labyrinth,was up there a few weeks ago and place was a sh*thole,wardens should patrol these areas making whoevers there tidy up or threaten a mini digger. rant over

othello

Anyone know if it might be safe for a ride on Saturday?

stev68

Going up sat probally, excuse the pun

Anonymous

cooldad wrote:

Shouldn't be a problem. Trails won't be affected and fire is good for forests, lets new growth through. Although obviously that's a long term view.

If the fire doesn't do it then Man has to. Have you seen what they've done in the Surrey Hills? All round Summer Lightning and Barry Knows Best, looks ruined.

Anonymous

othello wrote:

Anyone know if it might be safe for a ride on Saturday?

Not sure if they've closed the whole place, but they've been trying to keep people away from the affected area. It does mainly just affect the Crowthorne side which is outside the main Swinley area.

Looks big from photos, but not really any bigger than the many fires we have over the years on common lands and forests in the area. Tends to look dramatic due to the amount of smoke generated. The aerial photos look like it's lots of pockets of fires. I would guess it's spreading through dry scrub mostly.

RichardSwt wrote:

If the fire doesn't do it then Man has to. Have you seen what they've done in the Surrey Hills? All round Summer Lightning and Barry Knows Best, looks ruined.

Unfortunately it's working woodlands and they have a right to do forestry work.

From what I've read Crooked Furrow and BKB work has completed now. Redlands is still closed but that's because there's filming going on there.

Concerningly dry in Surrey Hills though.

Anonymous

Actually, looks like they're saying stay away, and they've closed the Look Out.

http://www.gorrick.com/swinley/news_item.php?id=413

surreyxc

worth noting that this part of the uk has some of the most significant low lowing heathland in europe, habitat to some very special wildlife, smooth snake, green lizard etc. Loss of heathland is not good, but removing birch shrub and pine could actually be beneficial. I am reminded of Thursley common which had an extensive fire but now the heather is returning nicely. Looking at turn of the century pics it is interesting to see areas like hindhead were much more open, hence the wild grazing practice.

t0pc4t

Thanks Kenny

I want to get up there soonest just to see what it is like now but no point going if they say not as it just puts the firefighters in danger and means they have to go to extra effort to look after idiots who ignore what's been said.

natrix

Nothing in Swinley is touched by the fire. Crowthorne Wood east of the A3095 close to the road by Muzzys is burnt through but the worst bit is west of the road which at 4 pm yesterday was still well alight and not under control.

Some wildlife maybe homeless for a few days but only Battle of Waterloo and Wortlebury Hill trails effected by the fire. The forestry are busy creating fire breaks so the forest at Crowthorne is very much CLOSED at present due to the potential for the wind to change. The Look Out is also closed.

benpinnick

As per the Gorrick map the fire is mainly in Crowthorne wood, not Swinley Forest. This will effect the race circuit there, but its away from the popular trails. Sounds like there is a big push on to get it under control this morning, but I wouldn't expect it to be out until some rain comes... This weekend is probably a bust.

Me thinks a trip to Surrey hills will be in order, but I a guessing that will be rammed with displaced Swinley riders

t0pc4t

thanks for the updates guys.

maybe some fettling this weekend instead then

Anonymous

I see the Mail is keen to stress numerous times that Broadmoor is nearby

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... pital.html

nozzac

So is the rest of Swinley closed too - ie the main named MTB trails?

cooldad

Causing major congestion on my way to work with the closed roads, but I suppose if that's the worst of it...

cooldad

t0pc4t wrote:

thanks for the updates guys.

maybe some fettling this weekend instead then

Or join us on Sunday in SH. Nice early (aaargh) 9am start.

t0pc4t

where is the meet?

never ridden SH before, could be tempted

benpinnick

Apart from the 9am start, I am up for that. Can someone confirm that this is indeed said carpark?

http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=51.190107510817434~-0.4503341764204061&lvl=15&dir=0&sty=s&sp=Point.shyc3rgyw830_Wishbottom%20Card%20Park____&eo=0&where1=Peaslake%2C%20Surrey&q=peaslake&FORM=LMLTCC

benpinnick

NozzaC wrote:

So is the rest of Swinley closed too - ie the main named MTB trails?

Yep - All closed, or at least thats what the fire brigade are asking for people to respect.

cooldad

Not quite, it's the carpark down and left from the one you marked.
It's as you drive out of Peaslake (past the bike shop) into Walking Bottom on the left just before you would get to the A in my link.

Anyone wants to come let me know and I'll send my number so if you get lost on the day we'll find you.
It's a big carpark, can't really miss it.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=walking+bottom&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Walking+Bottom&ll=51.190506,-0.447736&spn=0.020038,0.05476&z=15

benpinnick

I think thats the one I meant.... Did the (1) not show up on the map :? Anyway, I hope to see you there. Will PM you for mobile details.