Ongoing Newton Heath blaze 'flared up by the wind'
Strong winds have reignited the blaze that first broke out over the weekend
Last updated 6th Aug 2025
Firefighters have been called back to the scene of a major fire at Newton Heath Near Studland.
Strong winds have reignited the blaze that first broke out on Sunday.
An area of heathland the size of 8 football pitches has been affected.
Sharing an update about the incident on social media yesterday (5/8), fire crews said: "The ongoing fire at Newton Heath has been flared up by the wind, causing more smoke.
"The Service is mobilising additional resources to bring the fire under control.
"Please avoid the area and let the firefighters do their work safely!"
The incident
Dorset and Wiltshire fire crews were originally called to the scene at at 3.28am on 3 August to reports of a fire in the open.
Initially a crew from Weymouth were mobilised followed by further crews from Bridport, Poole, Wimborne, Christchurch, Westbourne, Redhill Park alongside lightweight off-road and support vehicles from Beaminster, Bere Regis, Dorchester, Lyndhurst (Hampshire & Isle of Wight FRS) and a water carrier from Eastleigh (Hampshire & Isle of Wight FRS).
On arrival, they found a wildfire affecting an area of heathland approximately 70 metres by 50 metres. Firefighters are using one main line, hose reel jets and beaters to extinguish.
Later that morning, relief crews started to use multiple main lines and hose reel jets to extinguish the blaze.
At 3pm, firefighters continued in their efforts using multiple main lines and hose reel jets, with the wind causing further spread.
They had approximately 55 firefighters in attendance.
On Monday (4 August), the service said relief crews attended the scene overnight, and they confirmed the blaze affected approximately 19 hectares of heathland.
That afternoon they said crews were still actively firefighting several small seats of fire, adding they believed the cause to be deliberate.
Yesterday, overnight further relief crews prevented the spread of fire and extinguished flare ups, fuelled by strong winds.
The fire also triggered a large smoke plume which was visible from some distance away.
They have since been asking people to stay away from the area for their own safety.
Read more: Firefighters tackle multiple blazes on Dorset's heathland