Major incident in Dorset

Two large heath fires near Holt Heath and Newton Heath prompt evacuations and a major incident declaration.

Major incident declared as crews tackle two heath fires in Dorset

A heath fire at Holt Heath near Wimborne drew more than 100 firefighters, with about 20 homes evacuated as crews worked to contain the blaze that started around 11:10 BST.

A second fire at Newton Heath near Swanage has burned since last Sunday and covers an area roughly the size of 35 football pitches. The scale and persistence of this fire have stretched local resources, leading the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service to declare a major incident to manage the response.

The decision to declare a major incident signals pressure on the local fire service as it handles two blazes in different corners of the county. It underlines how resource allocation becomes a key part of emergency planning when multiple incidents run long. The event also tests how well neighboring districts can share assets and coordinate communications during an ongoing crisis.

This situation highlights the balance authorities must strike between protecting homes and sustaining capacity for other potential emergencies in a rural coastal county. The coming days will reveal how containment efforts evolve and whether additional support is mobilized.

Highlights

Officials say updates will follow as the situation develops.