Wildfires have ravaged about 5,000 hectares (around 12,500 acres) of Moorland in Dartmoor, Devon. Emergency services arrived at the scene around 2:25 PM on Sunday, with firefighters working tirelessly for nearly 24 hours before they left on Monday.
This year, the UK has experienced an exceptionally warm start to May, hitting a high of 29.3°C at Kew Gardens in southwest London on Thursday afternoon. Firefighters also battled a 1.6-mile (2 km) blaze that erupted near Ripponden, West Yorkshire the same day.
As reported by the National Fire Ministers’ Council, as of 9 AM on May 1, fire rescue teams have responded to 439 wildfires since the beginning of the year. This is a significant rise compared to 250 wildfires during the same time frame in 2022, 60 in 2023, and just 44 in 2024.
Authorities have advised residents to steer clear of the Meribale and Okehampton areas for now. Fire rescue teams in Devon and Somerset cautioned that the fire’s behavior may become unpredictable due to shifting weather conditions.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services shared an update on X on Monday evening. They stated that crews, assisted by Dartmoor Rangers and Commoners, have been employing various fire-fighting tools to contain the blaze and protect the environment.
“The team used five Argo cat vehicles, a mist unit, a leaf blower, and a drone,” they noted.
Dartmoor National Park also shared images of the fire on X that morning. Simon Young, the area manager for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services, mentioned to the BBC, “It can be very difficult, but we have a specialized vehicle to access the marsh and ensure our safety while we work.”
He added, “The wind has really influenced the situation. We are currently facing amber fire conditions nationwide for the next three or four days. The ground is extremely dry, and the wind has exacerbated the situation.”
In another incident, the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service responded to a 1.6-hectare fire in Turf Hill, Light Water, in Surrey Heath at approximately 12:45 PM on Monday.
