Large fire spreads on Canford Heath nature reserve

Summarised from 3 outlets · 8 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 12:44 · Archive

A large fire broke out on Canford Heath nature reserve near Poole on Wednesday evening and spread rapidly due to high winds.

A fire broke out on Canford Heath nature reserve near Poole at approximately 7:39pm on Wednesday evening. The blaze spread rapidly across an area of heathland approximately 100 metres by 100 metres due to high winds in the area.

At the height of the incident, approximately 45 firefighters from across Dorset and Hampshire tackled the fire. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service deployed 14 firefighting appliances from Christchurch, Poole, Ferndown, Wareham, Wimborne, Hamworthy, Swanage, Blandford, Verwood, Burley and Ringwood, along with a support vehicle from Gillingham.

The fire created a significant amount of smoke in the area. Residents were advised to keep their doors and windows closed while crews worked to bring the blaze under control, and the public was asked to avoid the area.

Firefighters worked through the night to dampen down the flames. The incident was scaled back at around 1am, with the service moving to four lightweight 4x4 vehicles to monitor and extinguish hotspots using hose reels and lances. Three appliances remained on scene.

The Wessex Search and Rescue drone team attended the site in the morning to assist with the operation. Canford Heath is a 344-hectare designated Site of Special Scientific Interest that is home to dragonflies, damselflies, Dartford warblers, nightjars and all six species of British reptile.

How it is being reported

• 45 firefighters tackled heath fire throughout the nightALMOST four dozen firefighters tackled the Canford Heath fire into the early hours of this morning.Bournemouth Echo · 5 Nov, 12:26
• PICTURES: Huge fire rages on Canford HeathA FIRE continues to rage on Canford Heath tonight.Dorset Echo · 5 Nov, 10:15
• Crews work overnight to tackle nature reserve fireA wildfire on Canford Heath nature reserve spread rapidly due to high winds on Wednesday night.BBC Dorset · 5 Nov, 08:39
• Fire service issues statement on huge fire on Canford HeathTHE FIRE service has issued a statement as it continues to tackle fire on Canford Heath tonight.Bournemouth Echo · 4 Nov, 21:28
• PICTURES: Huge fire rages on Canford HeathA FIRE continues to rage on Canford Heath tonight.Bournemouth Echo · 4 Nov, 21:00
• 'Significant' smoke warning from heath fireDorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is dealing with a fire on Canford Heath.BBC Dorset · 4 Nov, 20:55
• LIVE: Drone photos show aftermath of huge Canford Heath fireFire crews are tackling a blaze on Canford Heath - updates as we get themDorset Echo · 4 Nov, 20:34
• LIVE: 'Significant amount of smoke' as crews tackle heath fireFire crews are tackling a blaze on Canford Heath - updates as we get themBournemouth Echo · 4 Nov, 20:34

In this story: Canford Heath · Poole · Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service · Wessex Search and Rescue

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log