Flames can be seen ripping through buildings and thick plumes of smoke is rising into the sky with 100 firefighters tackling the blaze in the Racecourse Lane area of Stourbridge18:10, 13 Aug 2026Updated 19:01, 13 Aug 2026Stourbridge fire: Aerial views show homes ablaze Two people have been injured with houses ablaze as huge wildfire spreads through two areas of the West Midlands.‌Flames can be seen ripping through buildings and thick plumes of smoke is rising into the sky with 100 firefighters tackling the blaze with crews called to the Racecourse Lane area of Stourbridge at around 1.30pm.‌The M6 northbound near Birmingham has been closed between junction 5 and 6 as a result of smoke from nearby wildfires, with delays of up to two hours.‌Six homes are understood to be on fire which is near a golf course and two people have been injured in Stourbridge. Ounty John Lane and Stourbridge Road are also affected by the fire, with emergency services saying they have increased their resources at the scene.West Midlands Fire Service said it was facing “extreme levels of demand” due to a fire in the Stourbridge area.‌In a post on social media, the fire service said: “We are currently facing extreme levels of demand as a service, and need your immediate help. Wherever you are in the West Midlands, please do whatever you can to stay safe and minimise the risk of outdoor fires.”“If you are directly affected by an ongoing fire, please DO NOT risk tackling it yourself. Get to a safe place and call 999. We will do our very best to get help to you as soon as we can.“If you must drive, take extra care if you are driving, avoid areas of dense smoke, and please don’t head to areas where fires are taking place to watch.”‌Stourbridge fire: Houses caught up in major blaze On the incident in the Racecourse Lane area, the fire service said: "Flames are spreading across roads in places. A number of properties in the surrounding area are understood to be experiencing power issues.‌"Please keep doors and windows closed as a precaution and avoid the area." The fire is estimated to involve an area of around 40 acres, including a wood.Meanwhile, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service said they are responding to another “large fire” in Salford Priors, Stratford-on-Avon and it urged residents in the area to close all doors and windows. Police, fire crews and ambulances are at the scene of the wildfire which has been declared a major incident.‌On the M6 there are delays of up to two hours due to the closure between junction 5 and 6 due to smoke from wildfire. “Thick smoke is blowing across the carriageway; closures have been implemented for safety reasons,” National Highways West Midlands said.“Southbound carriageway remains open at this time, however reduced speeds are in place.” In an update, the highways agency said: “The fire keeps igniting. Fire commander at the scene not happy for M6 to reopened until fire fully extinguished.“Delays building, 120 mins and 5 miles of congestion.” Junction 5 is the Castle Bromwich Interchange and junction 6 is Gravelly Hill, also known as Spaghetti Junction.‌People have been evacuated from their homes with Stourbridge Town Hall being opened as a rest centre and there is also transport in place for those unable to make their own way there. While St Michael's Church in Norton has also made itself available to provide accommodation where needed.Councillor Andrew Southall from Dudley Council said: "Residents and care homes are being evacuated and the council have invoked their major incident plan."There are evacuations taking place and Stourbridge Town hall is the respite site. Another site will be set up if need be. The advice is to stay clear of the fire area.Article continues below"Our teams are on site supporting safe evacuations, transport arranged. Residents from care homes safely evacuated to other care homes. Stourbridge Town Hall open, our teams there and supporting and housing getting ready in case those who have lost their homes or homes are damaged need temporary accommodation."In the short term that will be hotels and support from other associations as needed but housing have that in hand. We are liaising with emergency services and providing all support necessary."