Latest news with #HoltHeath
The Independent
12 hours ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Homes evacuated as firefighters tackle wildfire on Dorset heath
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.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Major incident: Firefighters continue to tackle heath blaze in 'ardorous' conditions
FIREFIGHTERS continue to tackle a major heath blaze which broke out over the weekend. Firefighters are said to be working in "arduous" conditions at Holt Heath, with multiple hotspots and flare-ups that are yet to be tackled. The fire first broke out on August 9 at 11am, with around 100 firefighters battling the blaze of approx. 1,000m x 800m near Wimborne. Fire crews had five pumping appliances, three small 4x4 vehicles, one water carrier and the Unimog in attendance initially and a further four appliances were requested. Crews in attendance were from Poole, Blandford, Wareham, Wimborne, Springbourne, Hamworthy, Salisbury and HIOWFRS crews from St Marys, New Milton and Eastleigh, Fordingbridge and Burley. (Image: Simon Rowley) READ MORE: A major incident was declared on Saturday night due to the size of the fire and the stretched resources of the emergency services. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Darren Langdown said on Saturday: 'We have declared a major incident both due to the size of the fire at Holt Heath, and also the impact of this and Newton Heath on our overall availability of resources. 'We are extremely grateful to our neighbouring services for the support they are giving us, and I can only praise all of our staff who are working so hard in extremely arduous conditions to bring these fires under control.' Crews are still being drawn from across the Service area as well as neighbouring services, including Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (Official) and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service A spokesperson has said: "On Monday morning, we are expecting appliances and specialist support from other parts of the country, thanks to help from the National Resilience Assurance Team. Firefighters remain on the scene (Image: DWFRS) "We would like to say a huge thank you to Morrisons in Verwood and Tesco Express in West Moors for donating food and water; the Dorset Food Company for providing an on-site hot food van; the Salvation Army for supplying drinks and snacks; and the many local residents who have dropped off donations. "We've had lots of offers to deliver food and drink to fire stations, but we would ask for this not to happen as there may not be anyone available to take delivery. We are extremely grateful for the support and all the kind messages we have received."
BBC News
13 hours ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Dorset firefighters tackle 'multiple flare ups' at Holt Heath blaze
Firefighters tackling a wildfire continue to work in "arduous conditions" amid "multiple flare ups".A major incident was declared due to the size of the blaze at Holt Heath, near Wimborne, which broke out at about 11:10 BST on than 100 firefighters from across the south have worked to tackle the fast-moving fire, which has burnt about 69 hectares (170 acres) of an update on Sunday evening, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) said crews were waiting for specialist support while they monitored multiple hotspots. People were forced to leave their homes on Saturday when the fire broke out but have since been able to are being advised to keep their doors and windows update explained: "Firefighters continue to work in arduous conditions and have surrounded the fire, although there are still multiple hotspots and flare ups that need to be tackled." Crews from stations in Devon and Somerset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire have all been assisting with the added: "On Monday morning, we are expecting appliances and specialist support from other parts of the country, thanks to help from the National Resilience Assurance Team." The service has also been tackling a heath and forest fire at Newton Heath, near Swanage, that has been burning for a fire, between Corfe Castle and Swanage, has destroyed an area about the size of 35 football pitches since it broke out last the fire at Newton Heath is believed to have been started deliberately, the cause of the fire at Holt Heath is currently unknown. The fire service gave "a huge thank you" to local supermarkets and independent food companies and charities which had donated food and water, as well as "the many local residents who have dropped off donations".It added: "We've had lots of offers to deliver food and drink to fire stations but we would ask for this not to happen as there may not be anyone available to take delivery. "We are extremely grateful for the support and all the kind messages we have received." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Major incident declared as huge fire rages on Dorset heath
A major incident has been declared after 100 firefighters were called out to tackle a huge blaze raging on Dorset heathland. The wildfire, which prompted 20 homes to be evacuated, measured around 1,000 metres by 800 metres on Saturday evening, with fire crews working through the night and into Sunday morning to contain the blaze. The fire at Holt Heath, near Wimborne, spread rapidly due to windy conditions fanning the flames. All those who fled their homes on Saturday evening have now returned but residents have been advised to keep their doors and windows closed due to the dense smoke billowing from the site. On Sunday morning, the fire service said that steady progress had been made through the night to suppress the spread of the fire - with around 69 hectares of land affected. A second heath fire, which affected 21 hectares of land at Newton Heath near Swanage, is also still burning. Firefighters have been tackling that blaze since last Sunday. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Darren Langdown said on Saturday: 'We have declared a major incident both due to the size of the fire at Holt Heath, and also the impact of this and Newton Heath on our overall availability of resources. 'We are extremely grateful to our neighbouring services for the support they are giving us, and I can only praise all of our staff who are working so hard in extremely arduous conditions to bring these fires under control.' He added: 'I would ask the public to help us by staying away from the affected areas; the fire at Holt Heath, in particular, is spreading rapidly and anyone trying to see what's going on could be cut off very easily. We would also ask photographers not to fly drones near the fire, as we are using drones provided by Wessex Rescue to help us direct our firefighting.'
The Independent
a day ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Major incident declared as huge fire rages on Dorset heath
A major incident has been declared after 100 firefighters were called out to tackle a huge blaze raging on Dorset heathland. The wildfire, which prompted 20 homes to be evacuated, measured around 1,000 metres by 800 metres on Saturday evening, with fire crews working through the night and into Sunday morning to contain the blaze. The fire at Holt Heath, near Wimborne, spread rapidly due to windy conditions fanning the flames. All those who fled their homes on Saturday evening have now returned but residents have been advised to keep their doors and windows closed due to the dense smoke billowing from the site. On Sunday morning, the fire service said that steady progress had been made through the night to suppress the spread of the fire - with around 69 hectares of land affected. A second heath fire, which affected 21 hectares of land at Newton Heath near Swanage, is also still burning. Firefighters have been tackling that blaze since last Sunday. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Darren Langdown said on Saturday: 'We have declared a major incident both due to the size of the fire at Holt Heath, and also the impact of this and Newton Heath on our overall availability of resources. 'We are extremely grateful to our neighbouring services for the support they are giving us, and I can only praise all of our staff who are working so hard in extremely arduous conditions to bring these fires under control.' He added: 'I would ask the public to help us by staying away from the affected areas; the fire at Holt Heath, in particular, is spreading rapidly and anyone trying to see what's going on could be cut off very easily. We would also ask photographers not to fly drones near the fire, as we are using drones provided by Wessex Rescue to help us direct our firefighting.'
