Record-breaking temperatures have seen firefighters called to almost 10 times the number of wildfires this summer.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has attended more than 400 grass fires and wildfires so far this year, in comparison to just 44 in 2021.

KFRS area manager David Escudier said this year has been one of the busiest summers the brigade has ever experienced.

He said: "This time last year we responded to around 44 grass fires and wildfires. So far this year, we've responded to over 400. So you can see with this extreme heat weather it's really impacted on our instances we've attended.

"We've seen an exceptional amount of demand placed on our service, but this time of year we know how busy we are so we have arrangements in place to stand up extra officers, extra crews and circulate them around."

The hottest day of the year in July caused three fires, including a huge blaze by the side of the A2 in Dartford.

As well as this, there was a major fire near Lenham Heath, and six fire engines had to be called to a crop blaze in Chartham last month.

On Thursday last week, firefighters were called to the Great Lines Heritage Park in Gillingham when a fire broke out which could be seen for miles.

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters tackled a fire in Crayford on Monday, which started in an area of grassland and spread to a row of houses. The cause of the blaze, which swept through four homes, is under investigation.

David said: "Our key message is a number of points – first of all, please no bonfires.

"This isn't the time of year to have a bonfire, it doesn't matter if you think its nice and safe, we've seen lots of instances where a bonfire has just released one spark and that's gone next door and we've seen a lot of personal property being damaged."

David added that because everything is tinder dry at the moment, people should wait until autumn, when the ground is wetter, to have bonfires.

He said wind conditions can make a blaze spread very fast.

The number of grass fires reported to Kent Fire and Rescue Service in June this year was 132, whereas in July it went up to 399.

Disposable barbecues are very popular in the summer, but the dry conditions mean that people should be vigilant when using them, and dispose of them properly.

"If you're going to have a barbecue just be very very sensible, have a look around you," David said.

"Check if the barbecue is started on something which can easily ignite, lots of people put them on grass and then they're surprised when the grass catches fire.

"This time of year everything has been preheated so it only takes a spark to ignite and turn into a huge wildfire."

People should make sure they do not place barbecues on or near anything that is combustible – such as sheds, fences, greenery and shrubbery.

As well as this, they should always be supervised, and once they are finished with they should be given a good rinse and be cold before you dispose of them.

Although spontaneous combustion is very rare, David said everything is so preheated that it does not take a lot to catch things alight.

He added: "As everything is already hot, a discarded cigarette could quite easily catch a crop field alight.

"It could just be someone driving past throwing a cigarette out their window and it landing on the grass we've seen that happen recently.

"Things left in fields, so broken bottles and cans, can all cause fires and unfortunately we have some evidence that some fires have been started not maliciously but by children and sometimes their parents building camp-fires and them not having any way to put it out when it gets out of control."

David urged residents to think twice if they are going camping, adding: "Don't go out to set fires at this time of year.

"It's not the time of year to set fires. Any other time of year is no time to play with fire but if you're going out in an organised party or with your family and you're thinking of camping in the woods or making a campfire just please don't at this time of year.

"If you do start a fire just dial 999, you're not going to get in any trouble, and don't try to tackle a fire, get away from it as quickly as you can as it can be very unpredictable and it can grow really really fast."

A Kent County Council spokesman said:“The impact of July’s extreme heat was felt across Kent and, as the public health authority for the county, Kent County Council ensured that everyone, particularly vulnerable residents such as the elderly, the very young, and people with chronic or severe illness, were aware of the risks posed by the high temperatures and given the best advice throughout the heatwave.

"Advice includes staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, drinking cold drinks regularly, such as water and avoiding tea, coffee and alcohol. Residents were encouraged to check on loved ones and neighbours who might need a little extra support, where possible."

A spokesman for NHS Kent and Medway said: "The NHS and social care have been extremely busy all summer and the pressure on our health service overall and on social care remains high – our staff are committed to making sure people get the help they need when they need it.

“We always encourage people to help pressure by using the right NHS service for them so hospitals and the ambulance service can focus on patients who need urgent help.