Catastrophic blaze engulfs Dorset heath, prompting major emergency response
Breaking News: Dorset Heathland Fire Contained but Still Under Monitoring
A wildfire that has been raging on Dorset's heathland, primarily at Holt Heath, has caused a significant impact on the local area. The fire, which started on the 3rd of August, has now been brought under control, but firefighters continue to monitor for flare-ups.
The fire has burned approximately 72 hectares of heathland, with Holt Heath seeing the brunt of the damage from the 9th of August onwards. Over 100 firefighters and multiple appliances from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, as well as support from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, have been battling the blaze. At its peak, there were around 14 fire appliances plus off-road vehicles, with resources fluctuating as crews worked to contain flare-ups and hotspots.
The fire was pushed by strong winds, causing rapid spread and prompting the evacuation of around 20 nearby homes as a precaution. The flames at Holt Heath spread quickly, turning a casual dog walk for Marcus Lastra, a dog walker from Ringwood, into a "horror movie" as he encountered the fire while walking his dog[1].
The National Trust has been helping the fire service create fire breaks to help contain the fire. Wessex Rescue is also providing drones to help direct firefighting efforts at Holt Heath.
A separate heath fire, affecting 21 hectares of land at Newton Heath near Swanage, is still burning. This fire has been ongoing since last Sunday, with seven pumps being used to spray water onto the blaze on Sunday morning[2].
The smoke from the Holt Heath fire was so dense that it prompted camper Ben Murphy to leave his campsite near Three Legged Cross. The wildfire, located at Holt Heath near Wimborne, has measured approximately 1,000 meters by 800 meters[3].
As of Sunday morning, around 69 hectares of land have been affected by the fire. Residents who were evacuated have returned, but they have been advised to keep their doors and windows closed due to smoke.
The fire has caused mayhem on the main road, with people stopping to take pictures of the fire, potentially causing further hazards for emergency services. Despite the containment of the fire, it is important to avoid the area and follow any road closures or advisories to ensure public safety.
This information reflects the situation up to at least mid-August 2025, with the fire currently contained but still under close observation due to residual hotspots and weather conditions[4].
[1] BBC News, "Holt Heath fire: Dog walker describes 'horror movie'", 9 August 2025, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-62551180
[2] Dorset Echo, "Dorset heathland fire: 20 homes evacuated as fire spreads rapidly", 9 August 2025, https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/19969672.dorset-heathland-fire-20-homes-evacuated-fire-spreads-rapidly/
[3] ITV News, "Wessex Rescue providing drones to help firefighters battle Dorset heathland fire", 8 August 2025, https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2025-08-08/wessex-rescue-providing-drones-to-help-firefighters-battle-dorset-heathland-fire/
[4] Dorset Council, "Dorset heathland fire update - 15 August 2025", https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/news/article/10268/dorset-heathland-fire-update---15-august-2025 (accessed 16 August 2025)
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