Date: 8th June, 2020
Update – 10 June
DWFRS came away from the scene yesterday evening, leaving on-going monitoring of the site to Forestry England.
Although weather conditions have cooled, and further rain is forecast, there is still a significant risk of wildfire across the Dorset area and, as such, it is likely that hotspots may flare up within Wareham Forest. These will be dealt with by local fire crews if/when they occur.
We continue to ask local residents and visitors to the area to resist any activity that could lead to a fire starting. The main dangers are:
- Deliberate fire setting
- Littering of items such as disposable barbecues and cigarettes
- Campfires and bonfires either being left unattended or getting out of control
- Sparks from machinery and vehicles
- Cars being parked on verges and the heat from their catalytic converters igniting the grass
PLEASE help us by not lighting fires, having barbecues in the open or doing anything that may set alight grass, foliage, heath or woodland.
Update – 3pm, 9 June
We have now scaled back further, to two Land Rover pumps and the Unimog, with crews continuing to dampen down the affected area. One Land Rover pump will stay on scene overnight to maintain a watching brief, in conjunction with Forestry England.
Sugar Hill Road has now been reopened. We continue to ask local residents and visitors to the area to resist any activity that could lead to a fire starting. The main dangers are:
- Deliberate fire setting
- Littering of items such as disposable barbecues and cigarettes
- Campfires and bonfires either being left unattended or getting out of control
- Sparks from machinery and vehicles
- Cars being parked on verges and the heat from their catalytic converters igniting the grass
PLEASE help us by not lighting fires, having barbecues in the open or doing anything that may set alight grass, foliage, heath or woodland.
Update – 9am, 9 June
As of this morning, there were two fire appliances, two Land Rover pumps, a water carrier and a Unimog in use, and work is continuing to dampen down the affected area, and this is likely to continue for at least the rest of the day, depending on the weather conditions. A presence will be kept on site by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service until all hotspots have been dealt with.
Local people are asked to stay away from the forest while crews continue to work. Sugar Hill Road has been closed for safety due to the number of fire appliance movements.
We continue to ask local residents and visitors to the area to resist any activity that could lead to a fire starting. The main dangers are:
- Deliberate fire setting
- Littering of items such as disposable barbecues and cigarettes
- Campfires and bonfires either being left unattended or getting out of control
- Sparks from machinery and vehicles
- Cars being parked on verges and the heat from their catalytic converters igniting the grass
PLEASE help us by not lighting fires, having barbecues in the open or doing anything that may set alight grass, foliage, heath or woodland.
Update – 5pm, 8 June
An initial fire investigation has concluded that a fire currently being tackled within Wareham Forest is connected to the one which started three weeks ago.
Firefighters have found evidence of deep subterranean burning deep within a tree trunk which made it to the surface earlier today and then was fanned by the wind.
Crews were called to the scene at 12.20pm today (8 March) and found approx. 1.25 hectares alight. Twelve fire appliances, three water carriers, two Land Rover pumps and a Unimog were initially on site, with approx. 75 firefighters, although this is now being scaled back to five appliances.
While the flame front is extinguished, a considerable damping down operation is underway and this is likely to continue for at least a day, depending on the weather conditions. A presence will be kept on site by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service until all hotspots have been dealt with.
Forestry England staff are again on scene supporting the firefighting operation, but early indications are that the Site of Special Scientific Interest is unaffected at this time.
Local people are asked to stay away from the forest while crews continue to work. Sugar Hill Road has been closed for safety due to the number of fire appliance movements.
We continue to ask local residents and visitors to the area to resist any activity that could lead to a fire starting. The main dangers are:
- Deliberate fire setting
- Littering of items such as disposable barbecues and cigarettes
- Campfires and bonfires either being left unattended or getting out of control
- Sparks from machinery and vehicles
- Cars being parked on verges and the heat from their catalytic converters igniting the grass
PLEASE help us by not lighting fires, having barbecues in the open or doing anything that may set alight grass, foliage, heath or woodland.