An Amber wildfire alert is to remain in place across Purbeck and Dorset as unseasonally low rainfall continues to increase the risk of wildfires due to dry conditions.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service first issued the Amber alert on Saturday 29th March 2025 and within days there were a number of wildfires which broke out at Moors Valley Country Park near Ferndown, and along the trackside of the Swanage Railway.
The wildfire at Moors Valley near Ferndown, destroyed several hectares of woodland
“Greater risk of fire spreading”
The Amber wildfire alert, which has now been extended into April 2025, means any fire could spread quickly and easily due to the dry ground.
The risk is greatest on large areas of open land, such as heathlands, fields and cliffsides.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue area manager Ant Bholah said:
“We have already had a number of devastating fires this year, including the on-going issues at Moors Valley and one at Canford Heath last month that destroyed more habitat than all the wildfire incidents we experienced in 2024.
“While the glorious weather is very welcome, especially with the school holidays looming, it does mean the ground and foliage are dry, leading to a greater risk of fire spreading if something happens to cause ignition.
“We would urge anyone going out and about in our beautiful countryside over the coming days to take extra care and be vigilant, follow our advice to bring a picnic not a barbecue, and avoid having campfires on heathland or in woodlands.”
Firefighters from Dorset and Hampshire attended the Moors Valley incident including a crew from Swanage
As this area of Moors Valley was being dampened down, another fire started elsewhere in the country park on Tuesday 1st April 2025
“Warm, dry and very sunny March”
According to the Met Office, March 2025 was a very dry month, with below average rainfall for Purbeck.
Across most of the southern half of England, only a fifth of the typical amount of rainfall was recorded in March 2025, with most weather stations in the area recording less than 10 mm of rainfall across the month, and less than 5 mm in the driest areas.
Met Office scientist Emily Carlisle said:
“Persistent high pressure, along with a lack of fronts arriving from the west, has meant that many have enjoyed a warm, dry and very sunny March.”
Spring sunshine on Swanage beach is very welcome but a prolonged lack of rain is bringing a risk of wildfires to the downs and cliffs
How long will the dry weather last?
With high pressure dominating the weather charts most areas will remain dry through the beginning of April 2025.
While there’s still some uncertainty around how much rain will fall later into April, the drier-than-normal conditions are likely to continue until at least the middle of the month.
There has barely been any rain in Swanage during March and the beginning of April 2025
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service advice
- Avoid having open fires or using barbecues in the countryside. Disposable barbecues and campfires are actually banned in many parts of Dorset
- Extinguish smoking materials properly, and don’t throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows – take your litter home
- If you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately to the Fire and Rescue Service. Early detection can prevent it from developing into a large wildfire incident
- When calling the Fire and Rescue Service – Get to a safe place; Note the fire location (apps such as What3Words can help if you’re not sure); Call 999; Meet the Fire and Rescue Service at the access point
- Don’t attempt to tackle fires that can’t be put out with a bucket of water – leave the area as quickly as possible
- If you’re at the beach, don’t set off flares, have campfires or light barbecues as these can easily lead to gorse and foliage on the cliffs catching fire
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is advising landowners and land managers to be prepared for fires, where possible, and ensure that fire breaks are cut and well maintained, with any cut grasses and vegetation removed from the site
Further information
- More about wildfire risks and countryside safety
