FIREBREAKS are being extended at Holt Heath as part of efforts to stop the fire from spreading.

A large-scale fire broke out on heathland near Wimborne on Saturday (August 9), causing a major incident to be declared.

The blaze, which Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) believes was started deliberately, has been made worse by the hot weather, with temperatures set to reach nearly 30° this week.

The fire service has now said that “good progress” has been made in combatting the fire after it received support from organisations across the country.

A spokesperson said: “We have been working with land managers to extend firebreaks, so that property and unaffected heath can be protected from fire spread.

“One of the main challenges we are facing is the very hot weather, so we have been supported by partners to provide sufficient shelter in all parts of the fireground, and our assets team has been working hard to ensure supplies of bottled water, sun cream and hydration tablets are available.”

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Various voluntary agencies, including the Dorset Heaths Partnership, have been on the hunt for any wildlife that might have survived the blaze.

A “very rare” female sand lizard is one lucky animal that has been rescued. This comes after the Dorset Heaths Partnership team told the BBC that more than 50 dead reptiles were found on Tuesday (August 12) alone.

The team, alongside Litter Free Dorset, are once again calling on retailers to take “meaningful action” by permanently removing single-use barbecues from their shelves.

An extended public spaces protection order was recently issued in Dorset which prohibits the lighting of fires, including barbeques, on open land across large parts of the county.

From January to July this year, Dorset Heaths has already recorded 55 incidents of fire, affecting 27 heaths and burning an area of over 65 hectares.

This is a 41% increase in fire incidents compared to 2024.

Sophie Clegg, Dorset Heaths monitoring warden, said: “In comparison to last year, there have not only been more heath fires attended by the fire service, but the impact of fire has been more widespread, with nearly twice as many heaths affected by fire.

“The conditions this year have also caused many of the fires to become much bigger, resulting in nearly eight times more heathland habitat burned in comparison to this time last year.”

For more information about Litter Free Dorset’s campaigns and projects, or to download your own campaign posters, visit www.litterfreedorset.co.uk.