Dorset, Eco & Environment | Posted on April 22nd, 2026 | return to news

Fire warning for Dorset and Wiltshire

The prolonged dry conditions are a cause for concern for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, which is urging caution.

It wasn’t long ago that floods covered many areas in Dorset, but now the county is experiencing a long dry period, which is concerning Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

It has therefore issued an Amber alert, which means that, should a wildfire be experienced, it could spread quickly and easily.

There have already been multiple heathland fires in the Dorset area this year, affecting several hectares, which were believed to have been started deliberately.

Group Manager Graham Kewley said: “While the dry, warm weather is very welcome, it does mean the ground and foliage are dry, leading to a greater risk of fire spreading if something happens to cause ignition.

“We would urge anyone going out and about in our beautiful countryside over the coming days to take extra care and be vigilant, follow our advice to #BringAPicnicNotABarbecue, and avoid having campfires on heathland or in woodlands.”

Top tips for staying fire safe while out and about include:

Avoid having open fires or using barbecues in the countryside. Disposable barbecues and campfires are actually banned in many parts of Dorset.
Extinguish smoking materials properly, and don’t throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows – take your litter home. 
If you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately to the Fire & Rescue Service. Early detection can prevent it from developing into a large wildfire incident.

When calling the Fire & Rescue Service: get to a safe place; note the fire location (apps such as What3Words can help if you’re not sure); call 999; meet the Fire & Rescue Service at the access point.

Don’t attempt to tackle fires that can’t be put out with a bucket of water – leave the area as quickly as possible.

If you’re at the beach, don’t set off flares, have campfires, or light barbecues, as these can easily lead to gorse and foliage on the cliffs catching fire.

If you see any suspicious fire-setting behaviour in progress, call 999 and ask for the police. If you have any information regarding non-emergency deliberate fire-setting, please call 101 or log it online at www.dorset.police.uk. You can report anything anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

More information on staying safe and enjoying outside areas whilst avoiding starting a wildfire can be found at www.dwfire.org.uk/heath-fires-and-countryside-safety.