Moors Valley Country Park, near Ringwood, remains closed, with firefighters tackling woodland blaze on third consecutive day
FIREFIGHTERS tackled flames at Moors Valley Country Park for the third consecutive day as the attraction remains closed “until further notice”.
This came after a reinspection of the site, near Ringwood, this morning (Wednesday) found more hot spots after multiple crews battled to contain woodland blazes yesterday and on Monday.
A Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said this morning: “One crew from Christchurch is currently on scene dealing with the fires and a 4x4 off road appliance from Christchurch has been requested to carry out a site patrol.”
Then, around 2.30pm, the spokesperson said all hot spots had been extinguished and crews had left the scene.
They were due to return for another inspection around 4.30pm.
“The cause is still unknown at this time,” the spokesperson continued.
Moors Valley had already announced its closure on social media, saying this was partly due to the second fire’s proximity to the main entry road for the attraction, near Ringwood. It later confirmed the site would be shut tomorrow as well.
As reported by the A&T, crews from over 10 fire stations across Hampshire and Dorset responded to a call-out to the flare-up shortly after 2pm yesterday.
This came after around 80 firefighters from the two counties spent much of Monday tackling flames engulfing pine woodland. That earlier incident covered an area of 400 metres by 500 metres.
The park had reopened just hours before yesterday’s emergency forced it to shut the car park and restrict access to facilities, including the visitor centre and restaurant.
Having fought the flames with beaters and multiple hose reel jets, six fire crews were still at the scene around 7.15pm to monitor and tackle hot spots.
Security patrols of the site were then carried out throughout the night.
The Moors Valley post said: “Due to the reignition of yesterday’s fire and the close proximity of the second fire to our main entry road, Moors Valley will remain closed all day Wednesday.
“The rangers will continue to patrol the forest and alongside the fire service, monitor the site.
“The car park, visitor centre, all onsite concessions and facilities will remain closed until further notice.”
A further update this afternoon said: “A number of fires have occurred at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest and the site is currently closed.
“We are closely monitoring the situation with the fire service. We are asking the public not to enter the Park or surrounding forest until it is confirmed that the area is safe.
“Updates including when the park will be reopened will be provided online and on social media.”
Sharing a video of the second fire online shortly before 8pm yesterday, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said the blazes were under control and resources had been scaled back.
People are being urged to be extra careful amid an ongoing amber wildfire alert during the current sunny, dry conditions.
A DWFRS spokesperson said: “Heath fires can occur at any time of year or time of day, and we advise everyone to remain vigilant.”
