Image source, NFDC

Jill Cleary, the leader of New Forest District Council, has thanked all those "working tirelessly" to respond to the A31 fire.

The authority is supporting the multi-agency response, working with emergency services and partner organisations.

Cleary called it a "challenging situation" and the New Forest a "very special place".

"The damage is deeply concerning, and I know the priority for everyone involved is to bring the fire under control as safely as possible and protect this precious part of the Forest," she said.

Cleary added: "I know the road closures and disruption are having an impact, but it is vital that people continue to follow advice from the emergency services, avoid the affected area, and allow those responding to the incident to do their work safely."

New figures have revealed that England and Wales have seen as many wildfires in 2026 so far as there were in the whole of last year.

The Press Association (PA) says data shared by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) shows some 1,017 wildfires have been recorded this year - the same as last year’s record-breaking total.

The figures come as Andy Burnham is set to chair an emergency Cobra committee later on Wednesday in response to a prolonged spell of exceptionally hot and dry weather.

Hampshire & the Isle of Wight's deputy chief fire officer Shantha Dickinson has told BBC Radio Solent her team are "really confident" in the multi-agency response despatched to combat the fire.

"Our priority is to sort this fire out as quickly as we can in terms of mitigating any further damage to the environment," she explained.

"We expect to be on scene for several days to come, and whilst we will look optimistically to be scaling down in the next few days, the increased air temperature and wind are going to cause us some challenges."

Looking ahead to the future, she said: "We're really hopeful that there is recognition of the increasing challenging conditions that the fire and rescue sector is under.

"We've had to pull on resources from across the country - specialist resources that aren't necessarily individually held within our organisation."

She added: "Any investment in this, given that we have had both locally, regionally and nationally an incredibly busy summer in terms of wildfires... will really help us to respond quickly and efficiently and effectively."

National Highways says it is gearing up to make repairs to the A31 in the wake of the wildfire, but doesn’t expect to begin until Friday at the earliest.

A spokesperson said: "Smoke, heat, ash and the fire’s ongoing movement mean safe access isn’t yet possible.

"We have crews on standby ready for when access is granted, and we will be working round the clock to fully open the road as soon as possible."

About 1,000m (3,281ft) of replacement boundary fencing is stored nearby and is ready to install, National Highways said.

"These protections are essential for safety reasons to stop animals from entering the road. We’ll also repair a substantial amount of safety barrier across five locations.

"Once we have access, repairs including resurfacing are likely to take at least 24 hours before the road can reopen safely.

"Temporary protection will be put around the parapets which were damaged by the fire, meaning the road will reopen with narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit in each direction.

"Permanent repairs will be carried out at a later date."

Jon Cuthill
BBC South Environment Correspondent

Through the heat haze it’s clear firefighting operations are still ongoing.

From my vantage point to the east flare ups can be seen sending plumes of grey smoke into the sky.

Today’s temperatures and shifting winds are creating a less predictable situation.

Work to contain the fire continues but the challenges to supply enough water continue.

Our helicopter has been filming at the scene of the New Forest incident, where fire service vehicles are dotted around the burnt landscape and plumes of smoke continue to rise into the air.

A firefighter captured this incredible footage of horses galloping through the charred heathland of the New Forest shortly after his team arrived on the scene.

He said his crew from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue "spent a long day firefighting and protecting a large flank" of the "devastating fire", and that they worked "incredibly hard in tough conditions".

Gilly Jones, from New Forest Roads Awareness, says she is concerned that sat-nav is taking people down “some really, really unsuitable routes”.

“Most of these people don't understand what a running pony sign is.”

She says there are still foals and young donkeys out there and “lots of visitors still think, regardless of how busy the roads are, that it's a good idea to stop and pet and feed an animal.”

Jones says that although they are not aware of any incidents so far, she has been receiving “tens, twenties of messages” of people witnessing near misses daily.

“People that are just driving so fast or just because they're late and they've been diverted.

“It’s getting darker earlier, we're going to have the eclipse later today, so please drive to the conditions.”

Dramatic footage from firefighters shows flames burning within a tree at the site of the wildfire in the New Forest.

An area the size of about 230 football pitches has been affected by the blaze.

Firefighters from Beaminster in Dorset are among the crews dealing with flare ups on the charred landscape.

Our reporter Briony Leland has been telling South Today presenter Tom Hepworth about the challenges fire fighters have faced in the New Forest.

Image source, House of Commons

Dr Danny Chambers, MP for Winchester, says the wildfire in the New Forest "should serve as a stark warning to us all".

"Climate change will continue to blight our environment unless we take action," he said.

"The effects of the climate crisis are no longer a distant spectre - they are a lived reality as we see wildfires, drought and heatwaves hit the UK in relentless waves.

"Ensuring we take action to both tackle climate change but also to adapt to extreme weather must be a priority for Burnham’s Government."

The prime minister has said the New Forest fire is a "great concern".

“There is obviously a significant problem of wildfires in the south," he added.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service has issued a new statement, in which it said firefighters had a "good hold of the perimeter of the fire" with "progress being made to implement fire breaks".

But it said changing wind conditions were proving "challenging" and nearby residents are advised to close doors and windows due to the smoke.

The fire service has deployed a heavy volume pump at Hightown Lake in Ringwood "in order to deliver a sufficient water supply to the incident ground".

"We understand this affects local residents, with a hose laid across pavements and driveways, and apologise for the frustration this causes," it said.

"We are working with residents to minimise disruption, and appreciate their understanding as this equipment provides our teams with the supply needed to continue tackling this significant fire effectively and help resolve the incident."

With the hot weather continuing it also asked people in the area to take extra care in the counttyside.

"Pack a picnic instead of a barbecue, avoid lighting bonfires and campfires, ensure smoking materials are fully extinguished, and take your litter home with you," the fire service suggested.

Several car parks are still closed in the New Forest area.

They are expected to remain shut for the foreseeable future while the fire service continues to manage the heathland fire.

Forestry England has asked people to avoid the affected areas.

While the wildfire continues to burn, rangers have dealt with a separate, much smaller blaze sparked by a BBQ.

Forestry England say the fire was found this morning, with two small additional fires caused by abandoned campfires also found on Tuesday.

It says: "At a time of high wildfire alert these actions are extremely dangerous and we would like to remind everyone visiting the New Forest that BBQs, campfires and the use of any outdoor cooking equipment are banned across the whole area."

Image source, HIWFRS

The fire is still affecting 1.6 sq km (400 acres) of heathland off the A31.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service says crews have a hold on the fire's perimeter with progress being made to implement fire breaks.

People continue to be warned to stay away from the area while the crews work.

About 100 firefighters remain at the heathland fire this afternoon.

Hampshire crews have been joined by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue and London Fire Brigade.

A spokesperson says the crews have "a good hold of the perimeter of the fire".

They say they are facing "changing wind conditions" that are continuing to prove challenging and advise residents affected by smoke to close doors and windows.

The firefighters are using specialist equipment to help extinguish the fire, including thermal imaging cameras, the spokesperson adds.

Image source, Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

The wildfire in the New Forest is one of several to have ignited amid the continued hot and dry weather.

It has brought the issue of resources across the country into the spotlight again, with the Fire Brigades Union saying there have been difficulties recruiting on-call firefighters, and a steep fall in overall firefighter numbers.

This has led to fewer available fire engines and appliances, increasing pressure on services, the union says.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which is responsible for fire services, says it will ensure fire services have the resources they need.

"This includes making almost £1.95bn available for fire services in England, and investing nearly £100m in the biggest upgrade to national resilience in almost 20 years," a spokesperson says.

Image source, PA Media

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the New Forest fire is a "great concern".

He made the comment on a visit to Stevenage earlier.

“There is obviously a significant problem of wildfires in the South," he added.

The fire in the New Forest started after flames spread from a van on the A31.

However, the blaze has also prompted warnings about the use of disposable BBQs in high risk areas - with Burnham confirming he is considering a ban.

He will chair a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee later to discuss the UK's response to the extreme heat, as temperatures are set to soar again.

Residents are being urged to save water where possible as firefighting continues.

Bournemouth Water, which supplies the New Forest, has asked residents to use "water wisely as prolonged heatwave and recent fires drive exceptional demand".

The message was shared earlier by the leader of Hampshire County Council.

Posting on Facebook Nick Adams-King asked people to "reduce unnecessary water use because the continuing firefighting operation is placing additional pressure on local supplies".

Image source, PA Media

The area affected by the fire is now estimated to be 400 acres (1.6 sq km), the leader of Hampshire County Council says.

That is the equivalent to the area of about 230 football pitches.

In an update this morning, Nick Adams-King says the situation remains "unpredictable".

"Today will be particularly challenging with temperatures around 30C and very hot, dry conditions expected to continue into tomorrow," he says.

He also urges people to "please stay away from the Bratley View and Bolderwood area and keep all gateways, verges and tracks clear for fire engines and other emergency vehicles."