logo
Homes evacuated as firefighters tackle wildfire on Dorset heath

Homes evacuated as firefighters tackle wildfire on Dorset heath

Independent11 hours ago
A major incident was declared in Dorset after approximately 100 firefighters were called to tackle a large wildfire at Holt Heath, near Wimborne.
The blaze, which measured around 1,000 metres by 800 metres and affected 69 hectares, led to the evacuation of 20 homes, though residents have since returned.
Windy conditions caused the fire to spread rapidly, with crews working through the night and into Sunday to contain it, making steady progress.
A second heath fire at Newton Heath near Swanage, affecting 21 hectares, has also been burning since last Sunday and is still being tackled.
Authorities advised the public to stay away from the affected areas and avoid flying drones, as they are being used by emergency services to direct firefighting efforts.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'Significant' Meriden waste depot blaze fought by 50 firefighters
'Significant' Meriden waste depot blaze fought by 50 firefighters

BBC News

timean hour ago

  • BBC News

'Significant' Meriden waste depot blaze fought by 50 firefighters

About 50 firefighters have been dealing with a fire at a waste were called to a "significant fire" that had spread across three-quarters of the large building in Meriden, West Midlands Fire Service fire engines, two 4x4 vehicles and a hydraulic aerial platform were still at the fire off Cornets End Lane at 18:00 BST on Monday, with a specialist high volume water pumping fire service said the blaze broke out just after 16:00 BST and there were no reports of anyone being hurt. Fire teams were working hard to protect the rest of the building, which was about 80m (260ft) by 40m (130ft), and liaising closely with on-site staff, a fire service spokesman said. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

BBQ warning from Royal Berkshire fire service
BBQ warning from Royal Berkshire fire service

BBC News

time3 hours ago

  • BBC News

BBQ warning from Royal Berkshire fire service

Firefighters are urging people not to use disposable barbecues or have bonfires in their gardens to cut the risk of Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service's (RBFRS) group manager Steve Leonard said it wants people to "enjoy the outdoors responsibly and to keep themselves safe".But during another heatwave and after significant wildfires in Dorset and Edinburgh, RBFRS said people should be careful when conditions remain "especially dry"."Whilst our crews are equipped and ready to respond to fires in the open, the most important thing we can do is prevent them from occurring in the first place," Mr Leonard said. RBFRS said in the event a fire does break out, people should not try to fight it themselves but call 999 and get to a safe location. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

Colorado deploys more than 1,000 firefighters to battle two huge blazes
Colorado deploys more than 1,000 firefighters to battle two huge blazes

The Guardian

time3 hours ago

  • The Guardian

Colorado deploys more than 1,000 firefighters to battle two huge blazes

Colorado is battling one of the largest wildfires in the state's history, with more than 1,000 firefighters being deployed to gain control over the flames raging west of Denver. The Lee fire, churning through trees and brush about 250 miles (400km away from Meaker, is now the fifth largest single fire in the state's history, according to the Colorado division of fire prevention and control. The blaze was caused by lightning on 2 August, and by Monday morning, had burned through more than 130,000 acres (52,610 hectares). It is 7% contained. The fire is one of several blazes in the region. Another major blaze, the Elk fire, is burning to the east of the Lee fire, and has scorched more than 14,000 acres and is 30% contained. On Monday, the Colorado governor, Jared Polis, declared a disaster emergency to support response efforts for the Oak fire, which is burning in Pagosa Springs, Archuleta county. Evacuation are in place for mountain communities across Garfield and Rio Blanco counties. On Saturday, the Rifle correctional center was evacuated. Smoke caused by the fires hs prompted air quality warnings. Meanwhile, in southern California, crews reached more than 90% containment on the Canyon fire that forced evacuations and destroyed seven structures after breaking out Thursday near the Los Angeles county and Ventura county line. Three firefighters have been injured in that blaze, including a battalion chief who was seriously hurt when his pickup truck rolled over in steep terrain. The Gifford fire, California's largest blaze so far this year, has scorched nearly 120,000 acres of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties since erupting on 1 August. It was 33% contained on Monday.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store