FIREFIGHTERS have been busy tackling fires on tinder dry fields as farmers work to bring in the harvest.

Today a combine harvester burst into flames causing a road block near Alresford.

Emergency services rushed to the scene of the fire on Bishop’s Sutton Road.

The B3047 was closed due to drifting smoke and fire engines blocking the road.

On Tuesday a muck spreader had an electrical fault which ignited a field of stubble a couple of miles away at Bramdean. About an acre of land was burnt before a fire crew doused the flames.

The muck spreader was only slightly damaged. Farmers are currently working hard to get in the harvest during the current spell of fine dry weather.

On Saturday around ten acres of standing crop burnt on a field off Morestead Road, near Winchester. It needed six appliances, a water carrier and three Land Rovers to tame the blaze.

Meanwhile, on the A31 at Ropley Dene a Mercedes, towing a caravan, was destroyed by a fire caused by an electrical fault. The caravan was undamaged.

Watch manager Mark Compton, of Winchester Fire Station, warned the public to take care in the current dry conditions.