Wildfires on Salisbury Plain out after helicopter drafted in to help
Water used to soak grassland
Last updated 14th Jul 2022
The wildfires on Salisbury Plain which have been burning since Monday (11th July) have now been put out.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue confirmed all fires in the training area are now extinguished and 'there is no smoke leaving the area.'
Last night a helicopter was used for the first time ever to drop water onto the area.
Due to the risk of exploding ordnance it could only soak the surrounding grassland and not the flames.
Commandant of the Salisbury Plain Training Area, Lieutenant Colonel Vance Worsley described it as a 'gamechanger.'
The helicopter will continue to damp down any 'hot spots' today.
Local soldiers have also been assisting fire crews to extinguish the fires which the MOD confirmed started as a result of live firing.
Smoke from the fires had been billowing across the area with local residents advised to shut their windows and doors.
Live firing remains suspsended and is not expected to resume until the heatwave is over.
Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Greatest Hits Radio app.