Trees still scorched one year on from Wareham Forest fire
An area the size of 230 football pitches was destroyed by a fire that lasted two weeks
Last updated 18th May 2021
Scars and scorches can still be seen on trees and heath in Wareham Forest, one year on from one of the largest fires in the south in living memory.
220 hectares of heath and woodland burned for two weeks - requiring over 200 firefighters to tackle.
Today, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is marking the one year anniversary of the fire.
They're urging locals and holiday makers alike to avoid another incident as serious as this by taking a picnic instead of a BBQ to the forest. Their new campaign #BringAPicnicNotABBQ launches today.
Disposable barbecues being left behind when still hot are a known cause of heath and forest fires, as are campfires.
We spoke to Mark Downing, one of the first firefighters on the scene.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Andy Cole said:
"Firefighters, Control room operators and all staff from across Dorset & Wiltshire who supported the Wareham Forest fire worked extremely hard to bring it to a safe conclusion. The incident highlighted just how devastating, and resource intensive, wildfires are. With nice weather hopefully on the way, and Government coronavirus restrictions easing this week, it is only natural to want to go outdoors and enjoy it with friends and family, but it is also important to stay fire-aware when out and about. The idea behind the #BringAPicnicNotABBQ campaign is to remind those enjoying our countryside that bringing a picnic is a much safer option than having a barbecue."
The campaign aims to remind the residents of Dorset and Wiltshire, as well as day trippers and holidaymakers, to take care in our beautiful open spaces this summer. A seven-minute film has been produced, highlighting the impacts the huge fire had on organisations across Dorset, as well as the work that is being done to prevent an incident like this occurring again.
Mark Warn, Wildlife Ranger, Forestry England, said:
"Wareham Forest is one of the most important places in the UK for nature and conservation, with much of the wildlife found here having already disappeared from other parts of the country. It is one of the few places where it is still possible to find all six of the UK's native reptiles, including the endangered smooth snake and sand lizard, and it is home to many rare species of birds and insects.
The wildfire here showed how somewhere as special as this can be so quickly devastated by one careless act. We all have a role in preventing wildfires and one of the simplest ways is to leave the BBQ at home, they are not permitted and not welcome in the Forest."