Dorset, Eco & Environment | Posted on July 21st, 2026 | return to news

Fire training for Dorset land managers

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Dorset Heaths Partnership came together for fire training.

With the hot, dry weather continuing, and the dangers of wildfires increasing, land managers from across Dorset have taken part in a day’s fire training, to enhance their knowledge around the impact of field and heath fires.

Organised by the Dorset Heaths Partnership, and led by Andy Elliott, a wildfire tactical advisor at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS), the day focused on the two heath fires at the heart of a major incident last summer.

The group visited both Newton Heath, near Swanage, and Holt Heath, near Wimborne, to find out more about: fire behaviour on each site; the factors that affected fighting the fire on each site; lessons learned; how partners can support DWFRS in a large fire incident; and site recovery.

Amongst the organisations taking part in the annual training were DWFRS, BCP Council, Dorset Wildlife Trust, the National Trust, Forestry England, Dorset Dogs, the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust and Talbot Village Trust.

Paul Attwell, team manager at Dorset Heaths Partnership, said: “We hold fire training days every year for land managers within the partnership, and it was felt lessons learned from the 2025 major incident would have real worth.

“It was particularly valuable for land managers to understand what they can do to support firefighters when the worst does happen, from providing tractors and water bowsers to knowing the What3Words reference for site access points. We’re grateful to DWFRS for their ongoing support.”