A major incident has been declared as a massive fire continues to burn through heathland in Dorset.
More than 100 firefighters from across five different emergency services on the south coast have worked “extremely hard” in “arduous conditions” to tackle the inferno, which has burnt about 170 acres of land.
Residents were evacuated from their homes on Saturday when the fire broke out, but have since been able to safely return.
Locals are being advised to keep their doors and windows closed.
The update explained: “Firefighters continue to work in arduous conditions and have surrounded the fire, although there are still multiple hotspots and flare ups that need to be tackled.”
A spokesperson for the service said it was “highly likely” crews would remain on scene for the rest of the week.
The cause of the fire in Dorset is currently unknown.
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A Major incident has been declared as a massive fire continues to burn through the heathland in Dorset
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Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
The statement added: “Crews are still being drawn from across the Service area and neighbouring FRSs, including Devon & Somerset, Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Royal Berkshire.
“On Monday morning, we are expecting appliances and specialist support from other parts of the country, thanks to help from the National Resilience Assurance Team.”
The fire service thanked a local Morrisons and Tesco’s for donating food and water.
The Dorset Food Company, the Salvation Army, and local residents were also thanked for their donations.
More than 100 firefighters from across five different emergency services on the south coast have worked ‘extremely hard’ in ‘arduous conditions’ to tackle the inferno
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DORSET FIRE SERVICE
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service urged members of the public to refrain from delivering food and drink to fire stations, as there may not be anyone available to take delivery.
They added: “We are extremely grateful for the support and all the kind messages we have received.”
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Darren Langdown said at the weekend: “We have declared a major incident both due to the size of the fire at Holt Heath, and also the impact of this and Newton Heath on our overall availability of resources.
“We are extremely grateful to our neighbouring services for the support they are giving us, and I can only praise all of our staff who are working so hard in extremely arduous conditions to bring these fires under control.”
Tempertures are set to heat up as the week progresses
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WXCHARTSFire crews from across the south coast are collaborating to tackle the blaze, including Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (Official) and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Road closures are in place, which Dorset Council is managing.
Authorities made “steady progress” over the weekend to suppress the spread of the fire.
The fire service continues to warn the public to stay away from the area due to the quick spreading nature of the blaze.