Date: 23rd April, 2022
Update (24th April 2022):
12am:
Our stop came through at 11.30pm. Hot spots are still being dampened down and will continue to be monitored throughout the night.
10.30pm:
The fire is now out but crews are continuing to dampen down with small 4×4 pumping appliances and main jets. A number of resources will remain on scene overnight.
10pm:
The fire has been surrounded and residents are allowed back into their properties. BCP Council are working alongside firefighters on the heath to cut fire breaks.
9pm:
At 17.54 pm this evening, we were called to a Canford Heath, Poole following multiple reports of a large heath fire.
There are currently 15 fire engines on scene (Redhill Park, Westbourne, Poole (three), Springbourne, Wimborne (two), Ferndown, Christchurch, Wareham, Verwood, Shaftesbury and a fire engine with heavy rescue capability from New Milton), small 4×4 pumping appliances from Hamworthy, Poole, Ferndown, Wimborne, Christchurch, Ringwood, and water carriers from Poole, Ringwood, Fareham and Eastleigh.
The area of heathland affected measures approximately 500m x 500m, which was found to be well alight on arrival. The fire began at the Francis Avenue end of the heath, moving west and south by the wind towards Canford Heath Road, Culiford Crescent and Marchwood Avenue.
Multiple main jets from appliances and the 4×4 pumping appliances are being used, and good progress is being made extinguishing the perimeter of the fire and protecting surrounding properties.
20 properties have been evacuated as a precaution and Ashdown Leisure Centre has been opened as a local evacuation centre for those unable to access their homes.
The firefront has now been reduced to approximately 100m. Firefighters will be on scene throughout the night.