Huge fire erupts on A31 as flames spread from vehicle to dry heathland

Huge fire erupts on A31 as flames spread from vehicle to dry heathland Members of the public made more than 160 calls to emergency services as flames spread rapidly from the roadway on the eastbound A31 onto nearby heathland A massive fire has broken out after a vehicle fire spread to dry vegetation on the A31 in Hampshire. More than 20 fire engines are trying to extinguish the blaze after a vehicle fire spread to nearby heathland, the fire service has said. Horrified members of the public made more than 160 emergency calls reporting the vehicle on fire on the eastbound A31 as plumes of smoke rose high into the air this afternoon. Twenty six fire engines, four water carriers, six off-road vehicles and several command vehicles had been dispatched to the scene after the first reports came in at around 5.24pm, the fire service said. The fire has broken out at a site near Ringwood, authorities said, with flames spreading rapidly from the roadway to nearby heathland. The fire service said: “The fire spread from the vehicle to the central reservation before progressing into nearby heathland. “Crews from across Hampshire, supported by colleagues from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, are currently attending the incident.” The A31 is closed between Picket Post and junction two of the M27. Motorists have been urged to avoid the area and use alternative routes whenever possible. The fire service added: “Please follow diversion signs, allow extra time for your journey and avoid the area to allow emergency crews to work safely.” Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident on Sunday as two large fires in woodland put a strain on resources. Several wildfires have broken out in the UK over recent weeks, including large blazes at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk, Headon Warren on the Isle of Wight, Llanwonno in the Rhondda Valleys, South Wales, and the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. Hot weather continued to build on Sunday, with the south and south-eastern parts of England expected to have the highest temperatures. According to the Fire Severity Index, any wildfires are likely to be exceptionally severe on Sunday in almost all of the east and south-east of England. “Exceptional” severity is its highest ranking. The Met Office data includes rainfall, temperature and humidity, and agencies use the index to assess the severity of fire if it starts. It does not cover the chances of wildfires occurring. Heatwave conditions will likely return next week, with a high of 36C expected in parts of East Anglia and south-east England by Thursday, according to the Met Office. So far the extreme weather of summer 2026 has included two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June that led to more than 2,800 excess deaths. Two more heatwaves in July, the driest July in England and Wales since records began in 1836, have fuelled drought and wildfires.