Date: 2nd April, 2025
Time: 11:44pm
Description:
Thursday 3 April
5am update - Approx 80 firefighters from across the Service area have been tackling a blaze at Upton Heath overnight, after receiving the first of multiple 999 calls at 11.44pm (2nd April).
The fire has affected an area of around 300m x 500m, and crews have been using hose reel jets and beaters to extinguish it. This has been hard work in dark and arduous conditions, and we now believe the fire to be contained.
At this stage, we don't know what caused the fire to start, but an investigation will take place once it's daylight and the fire is fully under control.
We are accessing the site via Beacon Road so please take extra care in that area.
8.45am update - We believe we have now surrounded the fire, and a 360 inspection is being carried out to confirm where firefighting needs to continue. Relief crews are being brought in from around the Service, and we have support from Hampshire & Isle of Wight FRS (Eastleigh, Burley, Lyndhurst, Ringwood, Fareham).
10.45am update - area affected is now believed to be approx. 51 hectares. We have scaled back our attendance but still have fire engines and small 4x4 appliances on scene, including support from Devon & Somerset FRS (Castle Cary and Somerton).
1.30pm update - firefighting is continuing across the heath, involving crews from three Services (DWFRS, Hampshire & Isle of Wight, and Devon & Somerset).
4pm update Crews from across Dorset & Wiltshire, Hampshire & Isle of Wight FRS and Devon & Somerset FRS have been working throughout the day to extinguish the fire at Upton Heath. Thanks go to Wessex Rescue for their support with their drone, and to the team from Dorset Wildlife Trust who have been busy saving as many reptiles and other creatures as possible.
We are scaling back our attendance over the coming hours, and hope to leave the scene later tonight. Our thanks go to the many local residents who have spoken to us and shown their support.
Friday 4 April
11am - Crews were able to leave the scene by 8pm last night. A reinspection this morning found no signs of hotspots but checks will continue due to the weather conditions.
12.55pm - At 12.16pm, a crew from Poole along with a lightweight off-road vehicle attended due to a hotspot. Crews used one hose reel jet to extinguish. They remain on scene to check for further hotspots and another reinspection is due later today.
The cause is believed to be down to human intervention, but we’ve not yet been able to establish whether that was malicious or accidental. The investigation will remain open for now.
Location: Upton Heath, Corfe Mullen, Broadstone, UK