// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Peatland fire like 'boiling in the bag' for crews
Fire crews are facing high temperatures as well as the danger of falling trees
A fire chief has said temperatures faced by crews tackling a peatland wildfire are so high they feel like "boil in the bag" meals.
The blaze at Holme Fen Nature Reserve, near Peterborough, broke out on Saturday, the second fire there in just two weeks.
Area commander Wayne Swales said about 50% of the 660-acre (270-hectare) site had been burnt - and temperatures were up to 60C (140F).
"It's indescribable in the centre: you've got peat on fire, you've got trees falling down around you, so we've not only got to try and deal with the fire, we've got to make sure our people are safe," he added.
Swales said firefighters were facing "some of the most difficult working conditions".
Wayne Swales said crews could remain at the site until the end of the week
He said firefighters were working in gear designed to protect them from external heat, as well as coping with the scorching temperatures of the blaze itself.
"It is boiling in the bag I would suggest on our crews."
Peat is formed over millions of years from an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation or organic matter.