Around 150 firefighters from across Dorset are currently dealing with two large heath fires to the south and north of Verwood.

The first incident started at 2.18pm off Hurn Road, St Leonards and St Ives, and involves two separate fires, one of approx. 200m x 150m and the other of approx. 300m x 200m.

There are fire engines on scene from Ringwood, Ferndown, Christchurch, Wimborne, Springbourne, Redhill Park, Swanage and Sturminster Newton, together with small 4×4 appliances from Ferndown, Ringwood and Christchurch, and water carriers from Ringwood and Poole – approx. 50 firefighters.

At 2.51pm, they were called to a rapidly developing fire at Boveridge Heath, north of Verwood with a front of approx. 200m.

Currently in attendance are fire engines from Verwood, Cranborne, Fordingbridge, Redbridge, Poole, Christchurch, Wimborne, Westbourne, Botley, Eastleigh (x2), Brockenhurst, New Milton, Romsey and Blandford, together with small 4/4 appliances from Verwood, Fordingbridge, Burley, Wimborne, Poole and Hamworthy, a water carrier from Wilton and a support appliance from Hamworthy – approx. 90 firefighters.

Both incidents are being badly affected by the strong winds, and local people are urged to stay away from these areas for their own safety.

We are currently extremely busy dealing with two large heath fires, near #Verwood and at St Leonards & St Ives. Nearly 150 firefighters are involved across the two incidents, including multiple crews from @HantsIOW_fire. https://t.co/Du4tjGQGbN pic.twitter.com/7r8q5bEzQi

— Dorset&Wiltshire FRS (@DWFireRescue) May 3, 2021

One of our appliances has been sent by @hiwfrs_control on a "make pumps x16" wildfire in Verwood with our colleagues from @Fordingbridge47 @Redbridge53 @NewMilton51 @BurleyFire52 @Brockenhurst50 @Eastleigh32 @Botley38 to assist our colleagues over the border from @DWFireRescue pic.twitter.com/EXW6j1q8Ww

— Romsey Fire Station (@Romsey33) May 3, 2021