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🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Disasters & Emergencies

Wildfire ravages rare New Forest heathland, threatening wildlife

From The Guardian · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Over 120 firefighters are battling a large wildfire on protected heathland in the New Forest, England.
  • The blaze, which started from a van fire on the A31, threatens rare species and habitats, described as more valuable than rainforest.
  • Firefighters are using drones and off-road vehicles in a challenging rural location, with road closures in effect.

A "devastating" wildfire is raging across protected heathland in England's New Forest, prompting a large-scale firefighting operation. More than 120 firefighters are on the scene, battling the blaze that ignited after a van caught fire on the A31 near Ringwood on Sunday.

It’s rare heathland which globally is more rare than rainforest with lots of rare species.

— New Forest national park authority spokespersonDescribing the ecological significance of the affected area.

The affected area is an internationally protected site, recognized for its rarity and biodiversity. A spokesperson for the New Forest national park authority described the heathland as globally rarer than rainforest and home to a high concentration of lowland heathland in western Europe. It supports all six UK native reptile species, as well as Dartford warblers, nightjars, and various insects.

We have the highest concentration of lowland heathland in western Europe and it’s internationally protected.

— New Forest national park authority spokespersonHighlighting the international importance of the New Forest heathland.

The fire service is facing challenging conditions in the "challenging rural location," using drones to monitor the spread and off-road vehicles to navigate the arduous terrain. Road closures remain in place, and residents have been warned that hoses might need to be laid across their properties to access water from a nearby lake. The fire has spread to Bratley Wood and surrounding areas, including a Canadian war memorial.

It is home to all six UK native reptiles, Dartford warblers, nightjars, insects – it’s devastating.

— New Forest national park authority spokespersonListing some of the rare species threatened by the wildfire.

It is too early to assess the full extent of the damage, as the incident is ongoing. Forestry England is supporting emergency services and will assess the impact once the fire is fully resolved. The incident highlights the vulnerability of the New Forest's unique environment to such destructive events.

There are more than 120 firefighters on the scene battling the heat and arduous terrain, in order to prevent further fire spread.

— Hampshire fire and rescue serviceProviding an update on the firefighting efforts.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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