Dozens of firefighters tackled a massive fire in crop fields as billowing clouds of smoke caused traffic disruption on a busy rural North Yorkshire road today (July 11).

The fire, which affected a wide area near the A61 at Hutton Bank, north of Ripon, as police issued warnnigs to motorists to avoid the area. 

The cause of the fire is not known. 

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A North Yorkshire Fire and rescue spokesperson said "We were called to a crop fire at Hutton Bank, near Ripon.

"We had six pumps on the scene. This was scaled back to four appliances at 5.15pm.

"The incident was closed at 6.30pm."

The AA reported put out an alert saying smoke was blowing across the road on A61 both ways at Hutton Conyers Turn off.

North Yorkshire Police posted on social media: "Field fires causing road issues near Ripon

"There are fires in fields alongside the A61, around Hutton Bank (north east of Ripon).

"We're asking motorists to avoid the area and find other routes for their journeys while our Fire Service colleagues work at the scene.

Meanwhile, spokeperson for NYFRS said five appliances had also attended a crop fire at Dishforth, near Thirsk.

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