It’s ‘too dangerous’ for firefighters to tackle a blaze on Salisbury Plain – meaning the flames will only be monitored at this stage.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) confirmed that crews will not respond to the incident it remains contained to the impact area – where they is a risk of explosion.
A fire that started earlier this week is continuing to spread this morning (Friday). It’s located a few miles west of Enford, in the middle of the training area.
Heavy smoke is affecting residents in the Netheravon, Amesbury and Salisbury areas. People are being told to close their windows and doors.
In an earlier statement, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation said that fires in this section of Salisbury Plain cannot be accessed and must be left to burn.
It added that the blaze is being monitored and should assistance be required, DWFRS are ready to attend. This will only happen if the fire spreads out of the impact area. Fire firing has been put on hold while the incident is dealt with.
DWFRS has since confirmed that it’s too risky to fight the fire at this stage.
A spokesperson said: “It’s currently not safe for us to intervene in this fire, but we are liaising with SPTA and will send an emergency response if/when appropriate.”
