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Large fire breaks out in country park forest

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service Smoking rising from the fire in the wood with three firefighters walking amongst burned shubbery.Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service
The fire service said the fire covered about 50 acres (20 hectares)

A large fire broke out in a forest at a country park.

Fire crews from Hampshire and Dorset were called at about midday to Moors Valley Country Park near Ringwood.

There were about 80 firefighters on the scene who worked to control a blaze covering 50 acres (20 hectares), Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said.

No one was injured and the incident was scaled back with relief crews taking over in the early evening.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service A firefighter uses a shovel-shaped tool to control flames in undergrowth among trees at Moors Valley Country Park on 31.3.25.Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service
About 80 firefighters were on the scene on Monday afternoon

Park managers restricted access to the site by closing its main car park and visitor centre.

Dorset Council country parks manager Karl Prince said the blaze was close to the B3081 Verwood Road, about halfway between Verwood and Ringwood.

Police said a stretch of the road, between Ebblake Industrial Estate and Alderholt Road, was closed for time.

A wildfire alert is currently in place across parts of southern England after recent dry weather.

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