ALSO READ: Latimer fire: Shocking video shows how quickly huge blaze spread through field

An "ill-advised" garden bonfire started a huge wildfire that needed eight fire crews from across Bucks, Berkshire and Hertfordshire. 

Residents are being urged not to have barbecues or bonfires in hot and dry weather after a bonfire "jumped" a fence in Latimer and set a field alight. 

Bucks Fire and Rescue said the blaze, near Latimer Road in the River Chess valley, on Thursday morning (July 28), was around 400 metres by 600 metres. 

Eight fire crews from Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross, Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Amersham as well as crews from Royal Berkshire and Hertfordshire were called at 10.20am. 

Three officers and one 4x4 vehicle also attended, with a command unit in operation, while Thames Valley Police assisted with road closures and diverting traffic. 

Bucks Fire and Rescue said the fire is believed to have started from a garden bonfire. 

The Chiltern Society and the River Chess Association both issued a warning not to have bonfires or barbecues while the weather is still hot and dry. 

"We had a wildfire at Latimer in the River Chess valley yesterday," the Chiltern Society said. 

"It was started by an ill-advised garden bonfire, which jumped a fence destroying a number of grazing meadows and threatening livestock, wildlife and property."

Fire crews used hose reels, beaters and a 4x4 to tackle the field blaze, and reinspected the scene at 3.30pm and 6.30pm on Thursday, where they found some 'hot spots'. 

They used water back packs and buckets to dampen down the area - but further hotspots were found at 10.45pm, which they put water on. 

Further inspections today (Friday, July 29) at 3.30am and 8.23am, found the area was finally cool and no more checks were required. 

There have been a number of field fires in recent weeks amid record-breaking temperatures and dry weather. 

A crop fire broke out earlier this week in Marlow, with fire crews from High Wycombe putting the blaze out at around 11am on July 26 in Marlow Road. 

On Tuesday last week - the day when temperatures in the UK passed 40 degrees for the first time - a Denham scrapyard caught fire in Field Road, as did a farm on Whitehouse Lane in Wooburn Moor.