A31 Closed Following Vehicle Fire
Incident update 23 August (12pm)
After two weeks in attendance, firefighters are now in a position to leave the scene of the New Forest wildfire off of the A31.
Two of our off-road vehicles will continue to support Forestry England with monitoring the area until later this evening when they will return to station.
With the A31 reopened, we have received a number of calls reporting what appears to be smoke. This is believed to be caused by dust and debris being picked up by the wind.
If you do see fire please dial 999 immediately.
Our firefighters, along with support teams from across the organisation, have worked tirelessly for the past fortnight, helped by our partner agencies and colleagues from other fire services, including national specialists.
Thank you again to the local residents for their patience and understanding with the disruption to their area, and we recognise the many kind offers of support from members of the community. We must also thank the Rapid Relief Team who helped fuel our firefighters through the hot and tiresome conditions they were battling the fire in, by providing food and drink.
Although we’ve had a bit of much-needed rain in some areas, it is important we all continue to do our bit to help prevent damaging wildfires destroying our beloved countryside.
With a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues in place, we ask that you pack a picnic, avoid lighting campfires or bonfires, fully extinguish smoking materials and take your litter home with you.
If you come across an outdoor fire, get to safety, dial 999 and provide a What3Words pinpoint so firefighters can quickly locate and access the fire to prevent it escalating.
Incident update 20 August (10am)
Yesterday, firefighters began the huge operation of clearing up the Heavy Volume Pump hose which delivered more than 85 million litres of water to the incident ground.
We still have a reduced presence at the scene of the fire, with firefighters using off-road vehicles to assess the site and check for remaining hotspots.
National Highways teams have resurfaced the carriageway, installed new safety barriers and are now working to replace the boundary fencing. This work will continue into the weekend. Find the latest here.
Incident update 17 August (4pm)
We are pleased to say that we are now in a position to reduce the number of resources in attendance.
Our firefighters continue to dampen down the area, checking for hotspots and preventing the fire from reigniting, and we expect to remain on the scene for the next few days.
You can see a reminder of what hotspots are and how we tackle them, below.
During this time our teams will also be packing up equipment that has helped us tackle the fire for the past nine days, as well as beginning the process of handing over the A31 back to our National Highways colleagues, so they can commence their essential repair works.
We ask that you continue to avoid the area, but also want to share our thanks for all your continued patience, support and understanding over the past week.
Firefighters from across the country have worked incredibly hard, day and night, and through the heat, to contain and extinguish this fire. Help them to prevent these devastating incidents occurring in the first place; pack a picnic instead of a barbecue, don’t light bonfires or campfires, ensure smoking materials are extinguished, and take your litter home with you.
Incident update 16 August (8pm)
As we head towards the close of our eighth day onsite at the New Forest incident, firefighting efforts continue to focus on preventing re-ignition. Firefighters are doing this by locating and extinguishing hot spots, and maintaining our “wet line” perimeter – keeping the ground wet to prevent spread of fire to the forest outside of the affected area. Due to the size and complexity of the incident, this preventative firefighting will continue for a number of days.
Fire and rescue services routinely work together at large or complex incidents. The New Forest wildfire has required a significant and sustained response over the past week. We have been supported by neighbouring Fire and Rescue Services, and also through National Resilience arrangements. The National Resilience programme enables specialist resources and expertise to be sent from across the country when required for large scale incidents.
Through this support, we’ve had additional firefighters and wildfire specialists, plus extra fire engines, specialist kit and vehicles onsite. This has not only helped us to resource this large wildfire incident, but to also ensured our local emergency cover across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is maintained. We’re incredibly grateful to every Service who has supported us with the personnel, equipment and specialist skills needed to tackle this large and challenging wildfire safely and effectively. In particular, we’re thankful to the firefighters who have travelled away from their homes and loved ones to help save our forest.
Incident update 15 August (10pm)
We still have a significant presence at this incident, as we enter our seventh night of tackling the New Forest wildfire. The focus remains on locating and extinguishing hot spots so they don’t reignite into fires. Firefighters have also spent the day creating a “wet line” around the incident ground. This creates a damp barrier that helps to prevent the fire spreading.
Why is the New Forest wildfire so difficult to extinguish?
After one of the driest summers on record in southern England, the New Forest’s heathland has become extremely dry and highly flammable. The New Forest contains peat, which can smoulder underground long after surface flames appear to be out. This creates hotspots that can reignite and spread, especially with the wind conditions at the site. This morning’s update, below, includes a video from on-call firefighter Jon, detailing how we locate and extinguish hotspots.
In addition, the remote heathland terrain and limited access to water is making for complex firefighting operation. We’re incredibly grateful for the hard work of all the firefighters and support staff who have been involved in this incident so far.
Incident update 15 August (12:15pm)
We’ve received reports that members of the public are accessing the site where our crews are working to extinguish the wildfire. The area highlighted in the below map is still part of our operational response zone. Pedestrians and cyclists are asked to please avoid the area, as hotspots are not always visible from afar.
Accessing an active fire ground puts people at risk, impacts our firefighting operations, risks damage to the critical equipment we have on site, and could therefore cause further delays to this lengthy incident. Please avoid the area until the incident is finished and we have left the site.
Incident update 15 August (10:30am)
Overnight, firefighters continued working incredibly hard at the scene, and the fire is now fully surrounded. We will still be on scene for a number of days as we damp down and extinguish hotspots.
On-call firefighter Jon explains the challenges of hotspots and how we’re tackling them.
Incident update 14 August (7pm)
Incident update 14 August (12pm)
We continue to have a large presence at the wildfire in the New Forest this morning with firefighters from across Hampshire and crews from other services working together to tackle this ongoing incident.
Our firefighters are working in hot and arduous conditions and our Control Room teams are working to rotate crews to ensure they all receive time to rest and recover away from the incident ground.
Firefighters are focusing their efforts around the perimeter of the fire, which remains approximately 1.6sqkm in size. This area has been divided into three sectors, with firefighters working in each to tackle flare-ups.
The wind continues to be a challenge with smoke drifting throughout the area, so if residents are affected we advise them to close doors and windows.
We appreciate the support and patience of local residents who have been impacted by the specialist hose delivering water to the scene from Hightown Lake.
We thank everyone for their patience while the A31 remains closed, the closure is needed to ensure fire crews and other responders can access the scene safely. We ask that you continue to follow the latest National Highways diversion route guidance.
Our crews have been battling this fire since Sunday, working incredibly hard in the blistering heat and with another hot weekend on the horizon, we ask that you all do your bit to help prevent outdoor fires in the countryside, but also in our towns and cities.
Incident update 13 August (8pm)
We’re entering our fifth night of tackling the New Forest wildfire. Firefighters continue to work in challenging conditions, with shifting winds causing smoke to drift in different directions across the area. Crews are working to stop further spread of the fire, whilst tackling hot spots as they flare up.
We’re very grateful to everyone who has offered support and refreshments for our firefighters. We are being supported by the Rapid Relief Team who have been doing an amazing job providing food and drink to help fuel our firefighters. Those who are interested in supporting firefighters, please consider donating to The Fire Fighters Charity.
Incident update 13 August (10am)
Once again firefighters have been working through the night at the scene of the New Forest wildfire.
Alongside colleagues from other fire services, we have been using various different techniques to support firefighting efforts, including mulching and tree felling.
Specialists in a technique known has backburning have been brought in to purposefully burn away strips of heathland, in a controlled way, in order to remove available fuels, creating a fire break which helps to prevent the blaze from spreading further.
Wind is blowing smoke from the fire into the direction of Roger Penny Way, so we ask that you drive with caution in that particular area.
Our teams continue to make good progress, but we still expect to be on the scene for the next few days, with the A31 remaining closed.
We all have a responsibility to help prevent wildfire, particularly with an extreme heat warning in place.
It only takes one careless action to start a wildfire, so please help our firefighters and protect our countryside:
- Do not light campfires
- Do not use barbecues in the countryside and if you have one at home ensure you have water at hand and light it away from vegetation, fences and sheds
- Take extreme care with smoking materials and make sure they are fully extinguished
- Do not light bonfires while conditions remain dry
- Take litter home
- Do not park on dry grass – the underside of your vehicle can be over 400°C
Incident update 12 August (8pm)
See video for incident update from James Lucy, who was the incident commander today.
We will once again have crews working through the night as we continue to tackle this significant fire
Incident update 12 August (1pm)
Firefighters have a good hold of the perimeter of the fire, with progress being made to implement fire breaks, however changing wind conditions continue to prove challenging, so if residents are affected by smoke in their area, they are advised to close doors and windows.
A Heavy Volume Pump has been deployed at Hightown Lake in Ringwood, in order to deliver a sufficient water supply to the incident ground. We understand this affects local residents, with a hose laid across pavements and driveways, and apologise for the frustration this causes. We are working with residents to minimise disruption, and appreciate their understanding as this equipment provides our teams with the supply needed to continue tackling this significant fire effectively and help resolve the incident.
In this prolonged period of hot weather, you can help our firefighters and prevent large outdoor fires starting, by taking extra care when out enjoying our countryside. Pack a picnic instead of a barbecue, avoid lighting bonfires and campfires, ensure smoking materials are fully extinguished, and take your litter home with you.
Please continue to follow National Highways guidance on diversion routes and to plan your journeys carefully due to the ongoing A31 closure.
Incident Update 12 August (7am)
Firefighters have worked throughout the night with a focus on containing the fire and managing hotspots and flareups. Challenging terrain and limited access to the remote location continue to make firefighting operations difficult, and the high temperatures forecast for today are expected to add to those challenges.
With the current warm and dry conditions continuing, we urge anyone enjoying the countryside to take extra care. You can help reduce the risk of fires by avoiding the use of disposable barbecues, not lighting campfires, and ensuring cigarettes are fully extinguished and disposed of responsibly.
Road closures remain in place while emergency services continue to respond to this complex and ongoing incident.
Incident update 11 August (8pm)
As we enter the third night of the fire in the New Forest our firefighters, with support of partners, continue to work hard to contain the fire and prevent further spread.
Road closures are expected to remain in place for at least the next 48 hours while emergency services continue to respond to this complex and ongoing incident.
The closures are needed to help keep everyone safe and ensure fire crews and other responders can access the scene safely. National Highways teams have assessed the damage caused by the fire and significant repairs are required to the road surface, road safety barrier and boundary fencing. These repairs can only be carried out once it’s safe to do so.
We know this may cause disruption and are grateful to the community for their patience, understanding and support.
Please continue to avoid travelling to locations that are subject to closures, restrictions or emergency operations. For information on other local road and car park closures view the update from Forestry England.
Incident update 11 August (2pm)
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Shantha Dickinson said:
“For nearly two days, our firefighters have been tackling a large wildfire in the New Forest.
“Firefighters, supported by colleagues from fire and rescue services across the country, are working tirelessly to prevent the fire from spreading further. Approximately 1.6 square kilometres have been affected by the blaze, and we expect to remain on scene for several more days.
“Alongside the difficult terrain and hot conditions our crews are working in, we have faced a number of additional challenges, including maintaining a sufficient water supply and responding to changing wind directions.
“Wildfires can have a devastating impact on our countryside and wildlife. During this period of hot, dry weather, we urge people to help reduce the risk of fires by not using disposable barbecues in the countryside, not lighting campfires, and ensuring cigarettes are fully extinguished and disposed of safely.
“This incident is also having a significant impact on the local road network, including the closure of the A31. We thank people for their patience and ask that they continue to avoid the affected area and plan their journeys carefully.
“We appreciate the support and understanding of our communities as we work to bring this incident to a safe conclusion. We are grateful for the offers of assistance we have received, but we ask that people avoid taking independent action and instead follow advice issued through official channels.
“We continue to work closely with our local authority partners to ensure residents and visitors receive the latest information and guidance. For updates, please visit our website and follow our official social media channels.”
Incident update 11 August (6am)
Crews have worked tirelessly throughout the night, a change in wind direction provided a challenge to the firefighting operations but thanks to the efforts of firefighters we are managing to contain the fire. We have been using a mix of fire engines and off-road vehicles to damp down and cool the edges of the area involved in the fire to prevent spread and escalation.
The police drone is being used to enable us to prioritise hot spot areas and manage flare ups.
Overnight we had a slightly reduced presence with seven fire engines on site plus water carriers, off road vehicles and support vehicles but are planning to increase this for a larger scale attack today.
We are maintaining water supply to the site through combination of water carriers and the High Volume Pump (HVP) system. We recognise that the hoses that have been laid as part of this system do in places go across access to homes in the area and we thank residents for their support and patience. The HVP allows us to move large amounts of water over a longer distance, helping crews maintain a continuous supply while they work to bring the fire under control.
The A31 remains closed in both directions while emergency services operate in the area. If you’re travelling through the area, please avoid the route where possible and follow the latest diversion information from National Highways.
Incident update 10 August (6pm)
Our crews are set to work into the night again as they continue to tackle the fire off of the A31.
We expect to have a significant presence for several days, as we work to protect this beautiful part of the New Forest.
We are being supported by the Rapid Relief Team, who provide food and drink to help fuel our firefighters as they work in challenging conditions, to resolve this incident.
We are incredibly grateful for the kind and generous offers from local residents to support our crews with refreshments. While this support is greatly appreciated, we kindly ask members of the public to avoid the area so that emergency vehicles can continue to access the scene safely.
Incident update 10 August (2pm)
There are more than 120 firefighters on the scene battling the heat and arduous terrain, in order to prevent further fire spread.
We are monitoring the fire, which is affecting a 1sqkm area of heathland off of the A31, with police drones.
Currently, we have 10 fire engines and 13 off-road vehicles in attendance, and we plan to maintain this number of vehicles until at least midnight, although it is likely to be required for longer.
We are grateful for the support from our neighbouring fire services, as well as others from across the country who are working alongside our firefighters with specialist vehicles and equipment, to resolve this incident.
We know that the A31 is a crucial part of our road network, and in these summer months, many of you will want to go out to enjoy the New Forest, but we ask that you continue to avoid this area, with road closures still in place, whilst our teams work to save this part of our beautiful countryside.
Incident Update 10 August (9am)
Firefighters remain at the scene of the heathland fire near the A31 this morning, continuing to work to bring the fire under control.
The smoke, which was clearly visible across the area and from both sides of the Solent yesterday, has reduced significantly. Some smoke remains visible locally, but it is now much less widespread. We are aware that in some areas the smell of smoke is lingering and we ask that you first check the smell of smoke in your area isn’t caused by a separate fire, and if so, please dial 999
We currently have 10 fire engines and 10 off-road vehicles at the scene, with crews continuing to work in challenging conditions.
Firefighters are also laying a high-volume pump (HVP) system across Ringwood to provide a reliable and sustainable supply of water to crews tackling the fire.
The fire is in a challenging rural location, where maintaining a steady water supply can be difficult. The HVP system allows us to move large amounts of water over a longer distance, helping crews maintain a continuous supply while they work to bring the fire under control.
People in and around Ringwood may see firefighters and equipment involved in laying the system. This is an important part of our response and will help support firefighting operations at the scene. Please do not drive over the hose as this could cause damage and result in loss of water.
The A31 remains closed in both directions while emergency services operate in the area. If you’re travelling through the area, please avoid the route where possible and follow the latest diversion information from National Highways.
Incident Update 10 August (7am)
Firefighters have worked through the night and continue to tackle the fire affecting heathland near the A31. We will continue to have a significant presence in the area as crews work to bring the fire under control.
The A31 remains closed. For the latest information on road closures and diversion routes, please visit National Highways
Incident Update: A31 Heathland Fire
Firefighters continue to tackle the fire affecting heathland near the A31 and will remain on site for the foreseeable future. We continue to have a significant presence in the area as crews work to bring the fire under control.
Fires in the countryside can be particularly challenging for firefighters, especially when it comes to getting sufficient water to the incident. To support our firefighting operations, we plan to use a high-volume pump to draw water from Hightown Lake in Ringwood and transport it to the incident.
This operation will involve laying a significant length of hose between Hightown Lake and the fire. In some locations, hoses may need to pass across or through private properties to reach the incident. Residents whose properties may be affected will be contacted directly by our crews, and we will work with them to minimise any disruption.
We understand residents in the area may be concerned. At present, there is no need for any properties to be evacuated. Should this situation change, affected households will be contacted directly. We will also provide updates through our social media channels.
The A31 remains closed, and the closure is expected to continue into tomorrow. For the latest information on road closures and diversion routes, please visit National Highways
We will continue to provide updates as the incident develops.
Initial Incident Update:
HIWFRS Fire Control received more than 160 emergency calls reporting a vehicle fire on the eastbound A31 at approximately 5:24pm.
The fire spread from the vehicle to the central reservation before progressing into nearby heathland.
Crews from across Hampshire, supported by colleagues from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, are currently attending the incident. A total of 26 fire engines, four water carriers, six off-road vehicles and multiple command vehicles are on scene.
The A31 is currently closed between Picket Post and Junction 2 of the M27 due to the vehicle fire.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes wherever possible. Please follow diversion signs, allow extra time for your journey and avoid the area to allow emergency crews to work safely.
The incident is ongoing and further updates will follow.
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