The main road along the Studland peninsula in Dorset was closed while firefighters tackled a blaze that had started on the heathland, suspending the Sandbanks Ferry’s usual service.
The fire broke out at about 2.35 pm on Thursday 17th April 2025, just as Easter holiday traffic started to arrive for the four day break.
The wildfire broke out on the Studland Bay side of Ferry Road
Dorset Police also arrived at the scene to close the road to traffic
Ferry Road closed
The closure of Ferry Road from the National Trust’s Knoll Beach car park to the Sandbanks Ferry meant all traffic arriving from Poole and further afield had to use the A351 road via Wareham and Corfe Castle to get to Swanage and Studland village.
There were reports of heavy traffic through Corfe Castle as vehicles travelling in and out of Purbeck met at the pinchpoint along East Street.
Fire crews from Swanage, Poole, Wimborne, Hamworthy, alongside a water carrier from Ringwood, plus three lightweight off-road vehicles from Swanage, Hamworthy and Poole, and a high volume pump from Christchurch were all called to help fight the fire, which had broken out on the dry heathland amid the highly flammable gorse bushes.
Flames could be seen as the gorse bushes caught alight
An unusually quiet Ferry Road as traffic into Purbeck was diverted via Wareham and Corfe Castle at the start of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend
“Working hard to contain the fire”
At the time, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service reported:
“We have approximately 25 firefighters on the scene and they are working hard to contain the fire and bring it under control.
“They are using multiple hose reel jets, main lines and multiple beaters to extinguish. Ferry Road is currently closed until further notice.”
The usual ferry service between Sandbanks and Studland was suspended, although it continued to transport passengers who needed to get to the Shell Bay restaurant and boatyard, as well as those travelling back to Sandbanks
Fire crews at the ferry slipway at Shell Bay in Studland
Reinspected for hot spots
By 6.30 pm relief crews had arrived from Shaftesbury, Westbourne, Ferndown and Hamworthy, and the incident was being scaled back.
Fortunately by 7.30 pm the fire had been extinguished, the crews were able to return back to their bases, and the ferry was able to resume its service as normal.
It’s expected that the area will be reinspected for hot spots by the fire and rescue service on Friday 18th April 2025, although rain is expected for the first time in a long while.
The smoke could easily be seen from boats in Poole Harbour
Fortunately the wildfire was contained and extinguished by fire crews
Home for rare wildlife
The Studland heathland, owned by the National Trust, is a site of special scientific interest and home to a number of rare wildlife species including sand lizards, meadow pipit birds and heath tiger beetles.
A National Trust spokesperson said:
“The risk of fires increases dramatically during hot and dry spells. We’re asking everyone to take precautions to protect themselves and nature and wildlife.
“Extreme heat and a lack of rain puts the countryside under severe pressure and swathes of land are dry. Wildfires have reaped significant damage to National Trust places in the last few years.
“There are no controlled burns taking place on Purbeck until late autumn, and our teams are on high alert to any risk. We’re calling on everyone to help by reporting any fires immediately to fire services on 999.”
Further information
- Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service information during dry weather
