A major incident has been declared as two large heath fires rapidly spread near Wimborne, Dorset, forcing the evacuation of nearby homes and mobilizing around 100 firefighters.
The primary blaze, covering approximately 1,000 meters by 800 meters at Holt Heath, is being tackled by firefighters from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, alongside support from neighbouring counties including Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Devon, and Somerset.
Strong winds are exacerbating the situation by fanning the flames and accelerating the fire’s spread. As a precautionary measure, about 20 homes close to the fire front have been evacuated to ensure residents’ safety.
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Local authorities have urged residents in the area to keep doors and windows closed due to heavy smoke, which can be seen from several miles away. The tragic event follows reports of a father’s desperate phone call just before an explosion claimed his life and those of his daughters.
Closure of Holt Road at the junction with Higher Road, as well as roads near Holt Heath village, has been enforced. Fire crews also continue battling a separate heath fire at Newton Heath, near Swanage, which has affected 21 hectares and has been burning since last Sunday.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Darren Langdown highlighted the scale of the operation: “The size of the Holt Heath fire and Newton Heath blaze has significant impact on our resource availability. We deeply appreciate the support from neighbouring fire services and commend our staff working tirelessly under demanding conditions.”
He warned the public to avoid the affected areas, especially around Holt Heath, due to the fire’s rapid spread and potential dangers. He also requested photographers to refrain from flying drones nearby, as emergency responders rely on drones from Wessex Rescue for operational support.
While the Newton Heath fire is believed to have been started deliberately, the cause of the Holt Heath blaze remains unknown.
Due to the continuing intense heat and dry conditions, an Amber wildfire alert has been issued for the coming days. The fire service cautions: “Do not attempt to tackle fires that cannot be extinguished with a bucket of water – evacuate immediately.”