New Forest Fire crews have entered a third day of efforts to control a major blaze. Firefighters say they have managed to contain the flames after a difficult night.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service deployed a large response after a van caught fire on Sunday evening. Around 160 emergency calls alerted authorities to the incident. Firefighters initially sent 26 fire engines to the A31, along with four water carriers.
The flames spread from the burning vehicle onto the central reservation. They then reached nearby heathland and moved towards Backley Bottom. Crews faced difficult conditions because of the area’s challenging rural terrain. Meanwhile, changing winds created additional problems during overnight firefighting efforts.
Despite those difficulties, firefighters prevented the flames from spreading further. A police drone also helped crews monitor hotspots across the affected area. Seven fire engines remained at the scene during the night, supported by water carriers and off-road vehicles.
Firefighters used a high-volume pump system to maintain a steady water supply. The system allowed crews to draw water from a nearby lake. They transported the water through several miles of temporary piping. Consequently, firefighters could continue cooling the affected areas without interruption.
Crews focused on cooling the edges of the fire zone. They also worked to prevent remaining hotspots from developing into larger flames. Officials plan to increase the number of firefighters and vehicles during Tuesday’s operation. Crews will continue targeting areas that remain vulnerable to flare-ups.
The A31 remains closed because of damage caused by the fire. National Highways said the road suffered significant surface damage. The blaze also damaged safety barriers and boundary fencing. Repair teams cannot begin work until firefighters bring the fire fully under control.
The closure continues to affect one of the main routes through the New Forest. Drivers should therefore expect disruption around the affected section. Firefighters have also placed hoses across some access routes near local homes. The fire service thanked residents for their patience during the operation.
Meanwhile, officials have raised concerns about the environmental impact of the blaze. The affected land includes protected lowland heathland. The New Forest contains habitats for numerous rare plants and animals. Several nationally and internationally important species live within the affected landscape.
The area supports Dartford warblers and nightjars among other wildlife. It also provides habitat for all six native UK reptile species. Gillie Molland, a lead ranger, warned about potential damage to rare wildlife. She said some affected populations could take years to recover.
Some species may also suffer significant losses because of the fire. Therefore, environmental experts plan to assess the damage after the flames disappear. Forestry England also plans to examine the impact of the incident. The organisation described fires of this kind as potentially devastating.
Officials will assess the affected landscape once firefighters complete their work. That assessment will help determine the scale of the environmental damage. Police have also dealt with vehicles abandoned near the fire.
Hampshire Constabulary said motorists left 23 vehicles behind on Sunday. Officers moved those vehicles away from the affected area. Police have asked owners to contact 101 to arrange collection.
The emergency response remains focused on preventing another spread of the flames. Firefighters continue monitoring hotspots across the heathland. Meanwhile, authorities continue working to protect nearby residents and properties.
Crews will remain at the scene until conditions become safer. They have already prevented further escalation during the overnight operation. However, officials say significant work remains before the incident ends.
The blaze has caused major disruption across the area. It has also damaged important infrastructure and threatened sensitive wildlife habitats. For now, firefighters will continue cooling hotspots and monitoring wind conditions.
Authorities will then assess the full impact once crews extinguish the remaining flames. New Forest Fire operations therefore remain active as firefighters enter another demanding day. Officials continue urging the public to avoid affected areas while emergency teams work.
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