Amber wildfire alert issued for Dorset and Wiltshire area

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service issued an Amber wildfire alert for its service area on 21 April 2026¹. The service said an Amber alert means that, should a wildfire be experienced, it could spread quickly and easily due to the dry conditions, with the risk greatest on large areas of open land such as heathlands, fields and cliffsides¹.

The service reported that there have already been several heathland fires in the Dorset area this year affecting several hectares, which were believed to have been started deliberately¹. It did not give a figure for the number of fires or the total area affected beyond "several hectares"¹.

Group Manager Graham Kewley said:

The service's published advice for people out and about includes avoiding open fires and barbecues in the countryside, noting that disposable barbecues and campfires are banned in many parts of Dorset¹. It also advises extinguishing smoking materials properly, not throwing cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows, and taking litter home¹. At the beach, it says not to set off flares, have campfires or light barbecues, as these can easily lead to gorse and foliage on the cliffs catching fire¹.

If a fire is seen in the countryside, the service advises reporting it immediately, and gives these steps for callers¹:

The service advises not attempting to tackle fires that cannot be put out with a bucket of water, and leaving the area as quickly as possible¹. On suspicious fire setting behaviour in progress, it says to call 999 and ask for the Police; information on non-emergency deliberate fire setting can be given on 101 or online at dorset.police.uk, and anything can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111¹.

Why it matters for households

The alert covers the whole Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service area, which spans Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, Dorset, Swindon and Wiltshire¹. It applies from 21 April 2026 until the service withdraws it; no end date has been reported¹. Households living near or visiting heathland, fields and cliffside areas are in the areas the service identifies as highest risk¹. The practical changes the service sets out are restrictions on open fires, barbecues and campfires in the countryside, including bans on disposable barbecues and campfires in many parts of Dorset, and a ban on flares, campfires and barbecues at the beach¹. Its advice on reporting fires and suspicious behaviour is summarised above¹. Background on wildfires and grass fires, barbecues and wildfire risk in dry weather, what to do if you see or are near a wildfire and protecting your home and garden from a wildfire is available in the heatwaves and drought section.

What happens next

The service has not reported when the Amber alert will be reviewed or lifted¹. It points readers to its countryside safety pages at dwfire.org.uk/heath-fires-and-countryside-safety for further information¹.