Wildfire sweeps across Canford Heath nature reserve

Families have been evacuated from their homes after a wildfire swept across heathland in Dorset, destroying about 17 ha of wildlife-rich habitat.

Canford Heath in Poole is a 340-ha nature reserve and site of special scientific interest that is home to rare species including Smooth Snake, Sand Lizard and Dartford Warbler, as well as Adder, dragonflies and European Nightjar.

Dartford Warbler, Undisclosed site Suffolk, Britain (Nick Appleton).

Fire crews were called out to reports of a fire at about 5 pm on Saturday 23 April. A combination of strong winds and unusually dry vegetation meant the blaze spread dramatically and quickly with the crew at Ferndown fire station saying it was the largest fire in that location for a number of years.

At its height, 80 firefighters and 25 firefighting vehicles were used to battle the blaze – 15 pumps, four water carriers and six off-road Land Rovers. Most of the fire was out by 10.30 pm and fire crews remained until Sunday to dampen down hotspots and monitor the area.

Fire chiefs estimated that 17 ha of heathland was destroyed by the fire, with its effect on wildlife yet to be quantified. A photograph taken from the air on Sunday morning shows blackened heath very close to houses.