A large-scale firefighting operation is set to continue into the coming days as crews work to fully extinguish a wildfire in Hampshire's New Forest national park. The blaze, which has affected approximately one square kilometre (250 acres) of land, was triggered on Sunday afternoon when a van caught fire on the A31 near Bratley Wood.
The fire subsequently spread into the surrounding heathland, with aerial footage showing the flames funnelling outwards in a south-easterly direction, fanned by the wind.
The incident caused immediate chaos on the major route, forcing more than 20 motorists to abandon their vehicles. Among those caught in the emergency was Lindsey Legg, who was traveling back to Bournemouth from Heathrow with her husband and three children.
Describing the scene as "pretty scary," she recounted how police stopped traffic, leading to a situation where families were forced to walk along the road.
Legg noted that they had to abandon their car and cross the central reservation to reach safety, fearing at one point that their vehicle might ignite. She observed other families, including women with buggies, walking along the road to escape the encroaching flames.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service reported that more than 120 firefighters have been deployed to tackle the flames under challenging conditions. To support the effort, an 8km (5-mile) hose has been laid from Hightown Lake, just east of Ringwood, to provide a steady water supply to the crews.
Residents have been urged not to drive over this hose, which crosses through private property and various tracks, to prevent potential damage to the equipment.
Forestry England has confirmed the fire is currently under control, though officials are cautioning the public to stay away as the situation remains unpredictable. The organization is assisting by closing car parks to ensure fire crews maintain easy access to the site.
While the blaze is not as intense as it was at its height on Sunday night, smoke remains visible, prompting authorities to advise residents to keep doors and windows closed.
The smoke plume was so significant that it could be seen from as far as Portsmouth, 30 miles (40km) away, and drifted across both sides of the Solent.
The ecological impact of the fire is described as severe. A spokesperson for the New Forest National Park Authority highlighted that the area consists of rare lowland heathland, which is more globally scarce than rainforest.
The location serves as a critical habitat for all six native UK reptile species, as well as nightjars, Dartford warblers, and various insects, making the destruction particularly devastating.
National Highways has indicated that the A31 dual carriageway will remain closed in both directions until further notice. The road has sustained significant damage to its surface and crash barriers due to the fire and an oil spillage from the burnt-out vehicle.
Police have confirmed that the 23 vehicles left behind by motorists were moved so they could be collected by the owners later.
No timeline has been provided for the reopening of this vital tourist route, which serves as a main artery to Dorset and the wider south-west of England.
Spokeswoman Esta Mion added: "There are still flames on site… but it is under control.
"It's nowhere near as bad as it was at the height of the fire last night. But we are very much asking people to stay away… it's unpredictable."
