A31 New Forest wildfire: drivers told to flee as 160 calls made

A vehicle fire spread to dry heathland on the A31 in the New Forest, prompting 160 calls and closing the road both ways as 20 fire engines tackle the blaze.

Brit Brief 09/08/2026 21:21

A31 New Forest wildfire: drivers told to flee as 160 calls made — A31 New Forest wildfire: drivers told to flee

Firefighters are tackling a large wildfire on the A31 in the New Forest, Hampshire, after a vehicle fire spread to dry heathland. More than 20 fire engines are at the scene.

160 calls from the public

Members of the public made 160 calls reporting the vehicle on fire on the eastbound carriageway just after 5.24pm. The fire then spread to the surrounding heathland.

Road closures in both directions

The A31 is closed in both directions. 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).

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