Overview

• The major incident at Holt Heath was stood down on August 15 after a week-long operation that saw 72 hectares of heathland burned.
• Firefighters from 47 of 50 Dorset & Wiltshire stations and at least 14 crews from other UK services were mobilized under National Resilience protocols.
• Ground teams used drones from Wessex Rescue and guidance from wildfire tactical advisers to identify and contain hotspots while deeming aerial water drops of limited use.
• Dorset Police have launched a criminal investigation into suspected deliberate ignition following official appeals for information.
• An amber wildfire warning remains in effect and rescue services warn against barbecues or campfires on open heathland.