Firefighters battle more field fires across Wiltshire as temperatures soar
One blaze led to the A303 being closed
Last updated 10th Aug 2022
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue are seeing a significant increase in field and agricultural fires tackling five across the south of the county yesterday (9th August) alone.
A large blaze at Winterbourne Stoke involving bales and loose straw resulted in a section of the A303 needing to be closed.
Another blaze at Collingbourne Ducis involved 70 acres whilst seven fire engines along with two water carriers were called to Deptford near Wylye and crews were also called to Chilmark.
Last night a field fire also broke out in Laverstock with plumes of smoke billowing across the area.
DWFRS said the blaze near Duck Lane involved 'approximately 3 hectares of cut grass.'
A spokesperson confirmed four homes were also evacuated briefly as a precaution too.
Cameron Pratt who lives nearby described to Greatest Hits Radio Salisbury what happened
"The kids called us from upstairs, there was a fire in the field and we noticed it was spreading quickly so dialled 999. We watched for about an hour or two whilst they were battling the flames, unfortunately it spread across most of the field. There was debris across on our street and thick smoke"
Mr Pratt also praised fire crews for their work.
On Monday 100 acres of barley was destroyed in a blaze at West Overton near Marlborough with footage posted on line showing the battle fire fighters faced.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue have issued fire safety advice to landowners - more details can be found on their website.
Members of the public are being urged to do their bit by not having campfires or BBQs in the open.
We're also urged not to have bonfires while conditions are so dry.
DWFRS attended 339 fires in the open last month compared to 120 last July – an increase of 182%