Overview

• The wildfire, which started on May 4 in the Cut Hill area of Dartmoor National Park, consumed approximately 12,500 acres of moorland before being extinguished on May 5.
• Eighteen fire stations, specialist vehicles, and a National Police Air Service helicopter were mobilized to combat the fire under challenging conditions.
• Authorities have urged the public to avoid areas such as Merrivale and Okehampton ranges and to refrain from using open fires or barbecues due to ongoing dry conditions.
• The fire's cause remains under investigation as officials warn of continued wildfire risks linked to unusually warm and dry weather in the UK.
• This incident highlights a significant rise in wildfire occurrences in 2025, with 439 reported so far compared to just 44 during the same period in 2024.