Wareham Forest: Large fire breaks out at beauty spot

More than 150 fire fighters are dealing with the blaze

DWFRS Fire fighter at Wareham Forest — More than 150 fire fighters are dealing with the blaze

A forest fire in Dorset has been declared a major incident, with the fire service expecting it to continue for at least 24 hours.

The blaze broke out, in Wareham Forest, shortly after midday.

Crews are using hosereel jets and beaters to tackle the fire on 100 hectares of heath and woodland, with smoke drifting as far as Bournemouth.

Nearby roads have been closed and power supplies interrupted because of electricity pylons being affected.

A picture taken from the police helicopter shows the extent of the fire

NPAS Police helicopter picture — A picture taken from the police helicopter shows the extent of the fire

Smoke could be seen rising above the forest from early afternoon

Bill Beaumont Wareham Forest fire — Smoke could be seen rising above the forest from early afternoon

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) said the fire was being fanned by strong winds and smoke was drifting towards the Bournemouth, Poole, Ferndown and Wimborne areas.

Residents have been urged to keep windows and doors closed as a precaution, particularly anyone experiencing coronavirus symptoms.

More than 150 firefighters using 28 vehicles have been tackling the blaze.

Nearby Sugar Hill and Bere Road have been closed as smoke has made them impassable. The A35 between Bere Regis and Morden Park Corner has also been shut and motorists have been advised to check their route to work on Tuesday morning.

Craig Baker of DWFRS is leading the operation to tackle the fire

Craig Baker of DWFRS said it remained a "significant fire" and fire fighters would continue to tackle it through the night.

"It was a wind-driven fire that was roaring across the health land, so we asked for 25 engines and other support vehicles that can get into the real centre of the fire where we need it to.

"We had other difficulties to deal with - a major National Grid power line runs right through the area so we've had to take necessary precautions as a result."

The cause of the fire will be investigated.

Earlier this week the fire service issued an alert for Dorset, with easterly winds, low humidity and dry heath land increasing the risk of wildfires.

The fire continued to burn as night fell

Wareham Forest fire — The fire continued to burn as night fell

At the Scene

By Mike Apps, BBC South reporter

Travelling towards Wareham Forest, we could see smoke filling the sky.

I counted seven sources of smoke sending vast plumes for miles across the Dorset countryside.

This is a huge fire and firefighters are facing a long operation tonight - one of the challenges is the strong winds fanning the flames and smoke is being sent towards the conurbations of Bournemouth and Poole.

There are now multiple road closures in place as police try to keep people away from the scene of the fire.

Fire service pictures showed trees alight

DWFRS Tree on fire — Fire service pictures showed trees alight

There are concerns that pylons in the forest could be affected by the fire

DWFRS Fire scene — There are concerns that pylons in the forest could be affected by the fire

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The fire service described the blaze as a "large fire affecting heath and woodland"

DWFRS Wareham Forest fire — The fire service described the blaze as a "large fire affecting heath and woodland"