Despite warnings about the increased risk of fires during a prolonged period of hot, dry weather, Upton upon Severn firefighters said they had a busy weekend. On Friday afternoon (July 31), they were called to a hedgerow fire on Welland Road between Malvern and Upton. Just minutes after returning to the station in Upton, they were called out to Harvington near Evesham as a relief crew. A large field fire had broken out in the area, with residents having to be evacuated and others told to keep doors and windows shut. "We returned to station and within 10 minutes we were then mobilised as a relief crew to Harvington near Evesham to a large field fire that had affected not only the field but also hedgerows gardens and sheds, where people had to be evacuated," Upton firefighters said.