- More than 120 firefighters are working around the clock to tackle a “devastating” wildfire across internationally protected heathland in the New Forest National Park.
- The blaze broke out on Sunday after a vehicle fire on the A31 spread across the central reservation into nearby heathland.
- The New Forest National Park Authority warned that the affected lowland heath is rarer than rainforests and home to rare species including all six UK reptiles.
- Emergency services are using drones and off-road vehicles to contain the one-square-kilometre fire, with no residential evacuations currently required.
- Road closures remain in place along the A31 following significant damage to the road surface, safety barriers, and a fuel spillage.
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