Wareham Forest: New fire breaks out at different spot

A wildfire has broken out at Wareham Forest in Dorset, three weeks after a devastating blaze there.

Seventy-five fire fighters tackled the new blaze on Sugar Hill after a "significant amount of smoke" was reported shortly after midday.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said the flames had been extinguished but damping down would continue for at least a day.

The initial wildfire, which started on 18 May, burned for more than two weeks.

The cause of that blaze was thought to have been a disposable barbecue or camp fire.

The fire service, which had been making regular patrols to check for hotspots, had handed the incident back to the Forestry Commission on Friday.

It said it was too early to confirm the cause of the latest fire.

Sugar Hill was closed to traffic and crews were expected to remain at the forest for the rest of the day, the fire service added.

People living nearby were urged to keep windows and doors closed.

One third of the 3,700-acre Wareham Forest is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is home to rare birds, plants and invertebrates.

Forestry England estimated it could take the forest "decades" to recover from the wildfires.

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