A major incident has been declared by Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service as 100 firefighters tackle a signifiant blaze.
A large number of fire crews, including some from Wiltshire, are among those sent to battle the raging flames at Holt Heath, near Wimborne, Dorset today (Saturday).
A blaze measuring approximately 1,000m by 800m is burning, with crews drawn from across the service area and neighbouring stations in Hampshire, Somerset and Devon supporting.
Strong winds are fanning the flames and causing the fire to spread quickly.
Twenty homes near the fire front have been evacuated as a precaution, and residents have been advised to keep doors and windows closed due to smoke, which is visible from miles away.
Firefighters also remain at a similar fire Newton Heath, near Swanage, where a blaze affecting 21 hectares has been burning since last Sunday.
Wiltshire 999s understands that fire appliances from Devizes, Pewsey, Salisbury and Wilton are on scene alongside Trowbridge.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Darren Langdown said: “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.”
While the fire at Newton Heath is believed to have been started deliberately, the cause of the Holt Heath blaze is currently unknown.
With an amber wildfire alert now in place due to hot weather, the fire service is urging the public to act responsibly in the countryside by avoiding barbecues and open fires, disposing of cigarettes properly, and taking litter home.
Anyone who sees a fire in the countryside is urged to call 999 immediately, get to a safe place, note the fire’s location, and meet firefighters at the nearest access point.
