The police have closed roads and urged people to stay clear of the areas where a grassland fire took place around Hankley Common near Farnham, Surrey, which saw the fire brigade declare a major incident on Sunday.

At least eight hectares of land were affected by the blaze which was scaled down from being a major incident on Sunday evening. Three surrounding roads have been closed.

Crews are expected to remain on the scene today and people have been advised to avoid the area and to keep doors and windows closed amid large volumes of smoke.

The fire service later tweeted to ask those nearby to stop calling 999 to report smoke clouds, after receiving “an incredibly high” number of calls, adding some local roads had been closed as a result of the incident.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service issued a plea to the public, asking people to: “Please help keep our outdoors safe: pack a picnic instead of a disposable barbecue and dispose of cigarettes correctly.”

People were also warned to stay “far away from the fire as it can travel quickly”.

The grassland area is known for its appearance in the James Bond film Skyfall.