Date: 13th August, 2026
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has declared a major incident due to the high number of incidents, the red wildfire alert, drought conditions and extreme heat impacting across the service area.
We are working hard to respond to emergency calls as quickly as possible and want to reassure the public that if you dial 999 for the fire service, you will get help.
We are asking the public to take extra precautions during this period and would encourage you all to consider these measures too. We’re encouraging the public to:
• Extinguish cigarettes properly, don’t throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows – take your litter home.
• Please avoid having BBQs on the heath or in open spaces.
• Do not have bonfires or fires in the open
• If you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately to the Fire & Rescue Service. Early detection can prevent it from developing into a large wildfire incident.
If you see a fire:
• Get to a safe place,
• Note the fire location,
• Call 999,
• Meet the Fire and Rescue Service at the entrance.
• Don’t attempt to tackle fires that can’t be put out with a bucket of water – leave the area as quickly as possible.
By taking care and reducing unnecessary risks, we can all play our part in helping to keep our communities and each other safe.