Crews tackle large gorse fire on Dartmoor
It's the second one in the space of a week
Last updated 29th Mar 2022
Four hectares of heathland have been damaged by a large gorse fire on Dartmoor.
Crews were sent to the scene at Mary Tavy yesterday (Monday 28 March) to prevent it from spreading.
It was initially moving in the direction of the village and the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team were called in to assist with evacuating properties.
They were stood down after arriving on the scene and told that the fire was moving away.
At its height 12 fire appliances were tackling the blaze - which Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service say was accidental.
On their Twitter, they said: "We have six fire appliances plus special appliances at a large gorse fire on Dartmoor. Firefighters are using beaters to prevent the fire spreading.
"The fire is at Mary Tavy and is affecting the A386 from Tavistock to Okehampton.
"Fire front of approximately 750 metres, firefighters using beaters and wildfire vehicles to prevent fire jumping the A386. 12 fire appliances and special appliances now at the scene.
"Four hectares of heathland were damaged by this accidental fire. Fire service vehicles are leaving the scene and the road is being reopened."
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service
Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team said: "A major incident was declared because of a major fire just to the north of Mary Tavy.
"Initially the fire was moving in the direction of the village and we were called by the Police to assist in evacuation of properties.
"A few minutes after arriving on scene we were advised that the fire was now moving away from Mary Tavy and evacuation of properties was no longer anticipated and we were stood down."
Dartmoor Search & Rescue Team
It is the second gorse fire on Dartmoor in less than a week.
Read more: Major incident declared as massive gorse fire breaks out on Dartmoor
The fire service say swaling is a common sight this time of year on the moors - it's a type of controlled burning which helps manage vegetation on overgrown heathland and clears the ground of dead vegetation so new growth can appear.
Nationally, controlled burning takes place between 1 October and 15 April. On Dartmoor a voluntary code ends burning on 31 March to allow for the ground nesting bird season.