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In pictures: The fire crews battling Holme Fen blaze

News imageWisbech Community Fire and Rescue Station Four firefighters stood in a forest smiling at the camera. They have their protective black trousers on with red ties that go over their shoulders, and they are carrying yellow helmets. Three of them have black T-shirts on, and the other is wearing a white one. Two of them are wearing caps.Wisbech Community Fire and Rescue Station
On Monday, the team at Wisbech fire station photographed the clocking-off moment at the end of their 11-hour shift, which began at 09:00 BST

Firefighters from across the country have travelled hundreds of miles to help Cambridgeshire crews tackle one of the county's biggest fires in modern times.

Since last Saturday, people from as far away as Merseyside have answered the call to fight the flames at Holme Fen Nature Reserve near Peterborough, which has affected about half of the 660-acre (270-hectare) site.

The teams have faced challenging conditions day and night, with dangers including falling trees and fires burning underground in the carbon-rich peat soil.

Crews have captured on camera the scale of the blaze and the situations they have faced.

News imagePeterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade A firefighter douses flames in undergrowth, which is completely charred and smoky to the left of the image, while he stands on grassland.Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade
Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade - one of the only operational volunteer brigades in the UK - have been at Holme Fen since the blaze broke out
News imagePeterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade A night-time image showing four men by their fire engine, which is lit up with artificial lighting. There is greenery all around.Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade
The Peterborough crew have worked day and night to try to bring the flames under control
News imageYaxley Community Fire and Rescue Station A man in the foreground wearing a floppy black hat has a yellow hose over his shoulder and is aiming water at the undergrowth, which is smoking. There are cut trees all around him, and some tall standing trees in the background.Yaxley Community Fire and Rescue Station
Trees have been cleared across the site as crews tackle the flames deep into the undergrowth
News imageWhittlesey Community Fire and Rescue Station A selfie of two firefighters sat down looking and smiling at the camera. One is wearing a yellow helmet, and the other has red cheeks and looks hot.Whittlesey Community Fire and Rescue Station
A moment's pause for the crews from Whittlesey station, who have faced searing hot temperatures at the reserve
News imageShefford Community Fire Station A night-time image of a bright glowing orange forest, with flames being tackled by a firefighter wearing hi-vis clothing in the foreground.Shefford Community Fire Station
A crew from Bedfordshire tries to douse the flames, with the fire having more than 80 firefighters tackling it at its peak
News imagePeterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade The aftermath of a fire in a patch of woodland, with charred black undergrowth and completely blackened trunks of trees, which are still standing. There are some red hoses to the left, with a couple of firefighters visible in the background.Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade
A scene of devastation is left behind, with the fire causing tree roots and trunks to burn through - leaving them at risk of toppling
News imagePeterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade Smoke rises from the blackened floor, as a woman firefighter with long blonde hair shoots water at glowing embers, while a man watches on.Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade
Smoke rising from the undergrowth leaves an eerie scene, as crews fight the flames during dusk
News imageNorthamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service A daytime image of smoke-filled woodland, with two firefighters in the foreground pouring water into the distance.Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service thanked its on-call crews who attended the blaze and "continue to balance" protecting the public with work and family life
News imageYaxley Community Fire and Rescue Station A night-time image in the forest showing glowing bright orange flames in the distance.Yaxley Community Fire and Rescue Station
Fire crews will carry on fighting the blaze well into next week, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said

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