New Forest fire live: Flames rage as A31 drivers told 'leave if you want to live'

New Forest fire live: Flames rage as A31 drivers told 'leave if you want to live' A massive wildfire is raging in the New Forest after a vehicle fire spread to dry heathland with plumes of choking smoke visible for miles around A massive wildfire is raging out of control in the New Forest with dozens of fire crews battling the flames after drivers were told to leave their vehicles "if they want to stay alive" . A total of 26 crews are now trying to extinguish the blaze near Forest Corner with firefighters set to remain on site "for the foreseeable future". Hampshire and Isle Of Wight Fire Service say they have a "significant presence in the area as crews work to bring the fire under control". The blaze broke out just after 5.24pm on Sunday, with drivers ordered to ditch their cars to escape the flames and residents told their homes will be affected by the firefighting operation. Areas surrounding the New Forest in Hampshire are set for highs of 27C today with the chance of rainfall below 5%, according to latest forecasts by the Met Office. The UV index is also high at 7 and dry conditions are expected thoughout the day. Ringwood sits on the western edge of the New Forest, surrounded by large areas of woodland, heathland and open countryside. Dry, hot weather can leave the vegetation in these areas more vulnerable to fast-spreading fires. The New Forest has already seen fires flare up during the UK's recent heatwaves, including a blaze on July 19 which damaged around five hectares of woodland and required more than 60 firefighters. On July 18, fire crews were called to another blaze in open land off Braggers Lane in Bransgore in the New Forest at around 3am. A video shared by a witness around nine hours ago shows bright orange flames still blazing at the scene last night. Thick smoke can be seen rising from the fire. "Starting to actually see some flames now over the top of the hill [...] the fire is blazing on," the witness says. Traffic maps show a large closure across New Forest this morning, with the A31 closed in both directions between the M27 J2 the A338 (Ringwood). Firefighters are laying a "significant length of hose" from Hightown Lake to the scene of the blaze, with hoses potentially needing to pass through or across nearby homes. A raging wildfire is spreading across the New Forest in Hampshire after a vehicle fire on the A31 caught heathland. Firefighters are battling the flames with around 26 crews involved in the operation and crews expected to remain at the scene "for the foreseeable future". Here's everything we know so far: - The blaze broke out near Forest Corner at around 5.24pm on Sunday after a vehicle fire on the A31 spread to heathland. - Drivers were told to leave their vehicles if they want to stay alive as the fire continued to spread. - The A31 remains closed in both directions. The road is shut westbound between M27 J2 (Ower) and the A338 (Ringwood). The eastbound carriageway is closed between the A338 and M27 J1 (Cadnam). - Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said there will be a significant presence in the area, with firefighters expected to remain on site "for the foreseeable future". - Firefighters are laying a large hose between Hightown Lake and the blaze, which may need to pass through private properties. - Drivers and locals are being urged to avoid the area while the emergency operation continues. The A31 in Hampshire is closed in both directions due to the fire which has spread to the adjacent verges and trees. The westbound carriageway is closed between the M27 J2 (Ower) and the A338 (Ringwood). The eastbound carriageway is closed between the A338 and M27 J1 (Cadnam). Hampshire fire crews, supported by colleagues from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, are currently attending the incident. A total of 26 fire engines, four water carriers, six off-road vehicles and multiple command vehicles are on scene. The fire has caused huge clouds of smoke in the area, with locals urged to close all doors and windows by the fire service. Local residents may have their properties affected as the fire crew work to tackle the flames. The fire service said: "This operation will involve laying a significant length of hose between Hightown Lake and the fire. In some locations, hoses may need to pass across or through private properties to reach the incident. "Residents whose properties may be affected will be contacted directly by our crews, and we will work with them to minimise any disruption." According to the fire and rescue service the A31 remains closed, and the closure is expected to continue into Monday. Barbara, who got stuck on the A31 yesterday, told the Bournemouth Echo 'it was horrendous'. She said: “We had to pull over and stop. It was horrendous. The fire was spreading. “You could feel the heat inside the car. We didn’t know what had happened and the smoke was pretty awful.” The fire service have confirmed that there is no need for properties to be evacuated at the moment. A spokesperson said: "We understand residents in the area may be concerned. At present, there is no need for any properties to be evacuated. "Should this situation change, affected households will be contacted directly. We will also provide updates through our social media channels." Drivers that were made to 'abandon cars' reportedly have no idea when they will be able to get them back. According to posts on social media families were made to leave their cars on the road for their own safety and evacuate the area. Drivers have expressed their concerns about retrieving their vehicles as it seems some people were able to turn around and make it home without having to ditch their cars. HIWFRS Fire Control received more than 160 emergency calls reporting a vehicle fire on the eastbound A31 at approximately 5:24pm.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. A total of 26 fire engines, four water carriers, six off-road vehicles and multiple command vehicles are on scene.The A31 is currently closed between Picket Post and Junction 2 of the M27 due to the vehicle fire.Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes wherever possible. Please follow diversion signs, allow extra time for your journey and avoid the area to allow emergency crews to work safely.The incident is ongoing and further updates will follow. Drivers were urged to get out of their vehicles by emergency services as the fire spead. People were walking on the dual carriageway to get to safety. One driver recalled the 'scary experience'. She said: "It was scary. They made us leave our cars and walk across the A31 eastbound. We were out for about 90 minutes." The police were reportedly running down the dual carriageway at the time of the fire, directing those in their cars. One driver posted online: "We were lucky. "The traffic came to a standstill and the police were running down the dual carriageway and telling us to turn around immediately. It was coming towards us." Hampshire fire crews, supported by colleagues from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, are currently attending the incident. A total of 26 fire engines, four water carriers, six off-road vehicles and multiple command vehicles are on scene. The fire service has urged that all doors and windows are closed in the area. A spokesperson for the fire service said: "Our Control Room are still receiving a large number of calls reporting smoke from the A31 fire, spreading to areas across both sides of the Solent - if you are affected, please close your doors and windows." Traffic travelling eastbound is advised to follow the below diversion route - not symbol led. - Exit the A31 at Ashley Heath roundabout onto the A338. - Continue south on the A338 towards Bournemouth. - At the Cooper Dean roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the A3060. - Continue on the A3060 to the Iford roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the A35. - Continue on the A35 through Christchurch, Hinton Admiral, Allum Green, Lyndhurst and Ashurst until you reach the A326. - Head northbound on the A326 to re-join the M27 at J2 (Ower Interchange). Some drivers 'went straight through the flames' when the blaze occurred on Sunday evening. One driver said: "It happened so fast. Some drivers just went straight through the flames. "Others did emergency stops, turned around and tried to get back along the carriageway. It was sheer panic." Traffic travelling westbound is advised to follow the below diversion route - not symbol led. - Exit the M27 at J2 (Ower Interchange) onto the A327 towards Ashurst Bridge. - Join the A35 and head southbound on the A35 through Ashurst, Lyndhurst, Allum Green, Hinton Admiral and Christchurch. - At the Iford roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the A3060 towards the Cooper Dean roundabout. - At the Cooper Dean roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the A338. - Continue northbound on the A338 to the Ashley Heath roundabout to re-join the A31. The New Forest National Park have posted an update on the blaze. The statement said: "Emergency services are dealing with a large heathland fire near Picket Post after a vehicle caught fire on the A31 earlier this evening and the blaze spread to the countryside. "Nearly 30 appliances are in attendance. Please avoid the area." Drivers on the dual carriageway were told to flee their vehicles 'if you want to stay alive'. Traffic came to a halt juts before 5.30pm when the van went up in flames, with drivers ordered to get out of their cars by police. A policewoman told drivers to get out of their cars and move to the central reservation 'if you want to stay alive'. People have left their vehicles on the road with no time frame of when they can be collected. Welcome to our live coverage of this incident. Here's everything we know so far: - The A31 in Hampshire is closed in both directions due to a HGV fire which has spread to the adjacent verges and trees. - Drivers were urged to 'flee their vehicles' as the fire broke out just before 5.30pm - The M27 is also closed from Junction 2