A large number of firefighters are at the scene
Motorists are being advised to avoid the area after two fires have broken out in fields in rural Dorset this afternoon (Friday, August 12). A large field fire has occurred on Ridgeway Hill near Church Knowle in the Purbecks, with at least three fire crews at the scene.
More firefighters are understood to be travelling to the field to help extinguish the fire. Motorists are being advised to "avoid" the road to Furzebrook from the A351 due to the number of firefighters in the area.
An update from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service reads: "We’re currently dealing with a field fire on Ridgeway Hill, near Church Knowle. Please avoid the road to Furzebrook from the A351 as we have a lot of vehicles in that area."
Another has occurred in the Studland area and the Sandbanks Ferry has been suspended as a result. Smoke can be seen for miles away and people are being advised to avoid the area.
Sandbanks Ferry shared: "FERRY SERVICE SUSPENDED for vehicles due to a large fire on Studland side very near to Ferry Road. We'll keep you updated - Fire Service on scene."
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Witnesses described seeing "thick dark smoke" across Studland and firefighters frantically racing to the scene of a heath fire this afternoon (Friday, August 12). Smoke has continued to billow into the sky for several hours after a large fire involving undergrowth and gorse in an area around 200m x 200m broke out after 1pm.
About 90 firefighters from across Dorset are attempting to extinguish the blaze near beach Knoll Beach and firefighters have also asked people "to leave the heath for their own safety, and to avoid Ferry Road" and keep their windows and doors shut. The chain ferry at which carries tourists to Studland has been suspended as the fire - which could be seen on the other side of Poole Harbour - continues to rage.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Firefighters are working hard to bring the fire in Studland under control. Please note the <a href="https://twitter.com/SandbanksFerry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SandbanksFerry</a> is only operating one way. You will only be able to us the ferry to leave the Studland Peninsula. Ferry Rd remains closed. Full update here <a href="https://t.co/n5YcQrs7Pe">https://t.co/n5YcQrs7Pe</a> <a href="https://t.co/5UhucbHAPX">pic.twitter.com/5UhucbHAPX</a></p>— Dorset&Wiltshire FRS (@DWFireRescue) <a href="https://twitter.com/DWFireRescue/status/1558134685045342208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Access to the Studland peninsula is currently closed while Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service deal with a large heath fire.
Crews were first called to Studland Heath at 1.12pm this afternoon (12 August), and there are currently approx. 90 firefighters tackling the blaze.
This includes fire engines from Springbourne, Blandford (x2), Poole, Westbourne, Swanage, Christchurch, Bridport, Redhill Park, Verwood, Shaftesbury, Wimborne (x2) and New Milton; small 4x4 appliances from Poole, Christchurch, Swanage, Beaminster, Verwood, Blandford, Bere Regis, Wimborne, Ringwood and Hythe; the Unimog from Wareham; a support unit from Dorchester; and water carriers from Ringwood and Eastleigh.
Due to the fire being either side of the main Ferry Road, access from and towards Swanage is currently closed.
Group Manager Brad Stevens said: “The fire affects an area of around 200m x 200m, and is generating a lot of smoke. Anyone in the local area who is concerned should keep doors and windows closed. Our crews are fighting the fire on all sides, using multiple jets and beaters, and National Trust staff are using machinery to create a fire break.”
He added: “Anyone who is currently on the peninsula will be able to leave via the chain ferry, which is running one-way with passengers towards Poole only. This will be very busy as the evening goes on, so people are asked to be mindful of the potential delays and prepare accordingly.”
Anyone using the harbour is being asked to stay away from the chain ferry route, so they can continue to assist.
Ferry Road Eastbound closed long delays, queueing traffic due to serious fire from Studland turn off (Corfe Castle) to School Lane (Studland). Congestion to traffic coming from the holiday park in Wareham on the A351.
Due to the fire near Studland sensors indicate the road has been closed all the way to Studland.
Two huge fires have broken out in fields in rural Dorset this afternoon (Friday, August 12). Thick plumes of black smoke could be seen be billowing above Studland after a large field fire occurred on Ridgeway Hill near Church Knowle in the Purbecks.
Residents reported seeing the smoke for miles, but felt disheartened watching on from afar. Some have expressed their 'helplessness' as they watch the events unfold.
Daytrippers and motorists have been evacuated from Studland as firefighters continue to work to extinguish a fire at Studland Heath. Residents and daytrippers have "helplessly" looked on as smoke billowed into the sky after a large fire involving undergrowth and gorse broke out at Studland Heath after 1pm today (Friday, August 12).
Fire service say crews from Springbourne, Poole, Westbourne and Swanage are in attendance, with other crews on their way. Firefighters have also asked people "to leave the heath for their own safety, and to avoid Ferry Road" while the Sandbanks Ferry service has been suspended.
Eyewitness Becky Wood told Mirror Online:
"Within minutes we saw fire engines come up as well as an ambulance. The ferry was pretty much full and they had to get all the cars to reverse off the ferry in order to get the fire trucks and ambulance in to take them over.
"They've closed off the Poole side and there is no traffic allowed over to Swanage, they're just diverting traffic and clearing the area. It seems to be getting worse. At first we could just see the smoke as it was behind Shell Bay, but within 15 minutes it had spread down and we could see the flames. We were all shocked at how quickly the fire spread.
"It's best everyone avoids the area because I think they'll be working for a while."
We were called to Studland Heath at 1.12pm for a large fire involving undergrowth and gorse. We have approx. 45 firefighters currently on scene - from Springbourne, Blandford, Poole, Westbourne, Christchurch, Wareham, Swanage, Bridport, Redhill Park and Verwood - in attendance, with other resources on the way. We are asking people to leave the heath for their own safety, and to avoid Ferry Road.
Vehicle ferry not operating due to serious fire on Sandbanks Ferry between Studland (Studland) and Sandbanks (Sandbanks).
Due to a large fire on the Studland side.
Diversion - 25 mile route via Poole, Lytchett Minster and Wareham.