New Forest Blaze Contained, A31 Closed: Firefighters Battle Third Day
New Forest Blaze Contained, A31 Closed: Firefighters Battle Third Day
Firefighters work tirelessly on the third day to contain a devastating New Forest blaze, sparked by a van fire. The A31 remains closed due to significant damage, impacting travel.
Firefighters are currently engaged in their third day of tackling a major blaze in the picturesque New Forest, though authorities report they are "managing to contain" the destructive inferno. The battle has been relentless, with crews working tirelessly through the night to prevent further spread.
The extensive fire originated on Sunday evening from a van that caught fire on the A31 eastbound, prompting 160 emergency calls. The flames quickly spread from the vehicle to the central reservation and then into the adjacent heathland, moving south-easterly towards Backley Bottom. This area is described as a "challenging rural location," complicating firefighting efforts.
Initially, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, supported by neighbouring crews, deployed a significant force, including 26 fire engines and four water carriers. Despite a challenging shift in wind direction overnight, firefighters, aided by a police drone monitoring hotspots, successfully prevented "spread and escalation." The overnight response involved seven fire engines, water carriers, and off-road vehicles, continuously drawing water from a nearby lake using a high volume pump system through miles of piping.
A significant consequence of the blaze is the continued closure of the A31, the primary arterial route through the New Forest. National Highways has confirmed that the road surface, safety barriers, and boundary fencing have sustained "significant" damage. Repairs can only commence once the fire is fully extinguished. A deputy chief fire officer has indicated that firefighters anticipate battling the New Forest fire "for some time to come."
Shantha Dickinson of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service highlighted the demanding conditions, stating that it has been a "very challenging few months so far for wildfires," and emphasizing that tackling such blazes is "incredibly resource-intensive."
