Members of the Beds, Cambs and Herts Road Policing Unit became temporary firefighters last week after spotting a small fire starting off the A414 in St Albans. Images show a patch of grass on the side of the road which turned to ash after a short blaze. The grass patch was completely destroyed (Image: @roadpoliceBCH)"In case you are unaware, there is a drought at the moment and even a cigarette carelessly discarded can start a large fire," a post by the force added. On July 29, The Environment Agency announced that Hertfordshire is officially in drought amid an ongoing period of "prolonged dry weather". Hertfordshire is also currently subject to a hosepipe ban, which began earlier this month and could last all summer.