Why fire in military training zone must burn out on its own

A fire in a military training ground must be left to burn out on its own because the area could be filled with unexploded devices, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Flames were first spotted on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire on Wednesday. But the local fire service has been told it cannot attend the site, despite residents reporting heavy smoke in the area.

Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) - an operating arm of the MoD - said all firing into the affected area was stopped as soon as the blaze was discovered.

A DIO spokesperson said the fire, which was started accidentally, must be left to run its course due to its location in the Range Danger Area.

The fire is located in a Range Danger Area or Impact Zone in the heart of the Salisbury Plain training zone.

These areas contain a number of hazards and are not safe for civilians to enter.

"Military fires on the training estate are not caused deliberately and usually start, and are contained, in the Range Danger Area.

"These areas are largely constructed with the potential for fires in mind and include stone tracks which act as a fire break to prevent the transfer of a fire onto the wider estate," a DIO spokesperson said.

Wildfires in the countryside can start for many reasons, including discarded cigarettes, unattended campfires, BBQs and by arsonists. And dry, hot conditions can make the scale of wildfires worse.

But it is not the first time a fire has broken out on Salisbury Plain - in May last year, large plumes of smoke were seen after a live firing exercise.

Military training has sparked hundreds of wildfires across the UK countryside since 2023, with unexploded shells often making it too dangerous to tackle them.

According to data obtained by the BBC under the Freedom of Information Act, there were 1,178 wildfires in total linked to MoD training sites between 2020 – August 2025.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFS) said it was notified of the incident, but confirmed it cannot attend and it was "being dealt with" by the MoD.

"We would always recommend to anyone that is affected by smoke and concerned, to keep windows and doors closed as a precaution," a spokesperson added.

The DIO said where there is "no threat to life or property" they will continue to work closely with the council, DWFS, and Public Health England to keep residents updated and advise on appropriate precautions.

"Red flags fly during the day, and red lights are lit at night to let the public know when the area is out of bounds.

"Live munitions, fast moving vehicles, low flying aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles are all used during live military manoeuvres and Range Danger Areas may contain unexploded military debris," a DIO spokesperson added.

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.