Firefighters have appealed to residents to exercise caution during the current heatwave after blazes broke out at a popular Sussex nature reserve.

Emergency crews from both East Sussex and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service responded to the scene at 9.51am this morning, July 8, arriving at Ashdown Forest.

The incident involved smouldering vegetation and trees in the vicinity of the Ashdown Forest Centre car park along Colmans Hatch Road.

Authorities reported that roughly 70 square metres of land was impacted by the flames.

Emergency services confirmed no casualties resulted from the fire.

As of 1.40pm, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service personnel had departed the location. A single crew from East Sussex Fire and Rescue remained on site conducting damping-down operations.

Following the blaze, the fire service published guidance to help ensure public safety while enjoying outdoor activities during the warm conditions.

Recommendations included refraining from discarding cigarette ends on parched terrain, correctly disposing of glass containers to prevent sunlight magnification, preventing youngsters from accessing lighters and matches, and abstaining from picnics in unauthorized zones.

The service also advised against abandoning campfires or barbecues unsupervised and emphasised proper extinguishing procedures once finished.

This advice follows the activation of an amber health warning across the southeast region at 9am today, July 8.

The warning will remain active until 9pm on July 12, with officials cautioning about potential significant consequences for health and social care systems due to elevated temperatures.

Brighton and Hove is forecast to experience highs of 26 degrees during the warmest part of today, while other parts of the county could see temperatures climbing to 30 degrees or more.