If you have smelt smoke over the last 15 hours or so, it could well be because of a large fire on the Mainland.
What’s causing the smoke
Residents on the Isle of Wight have been advised to keep their windows closed to avoid smoke from the widespread fire in the New Forest.
How the fire started
The incident was sparked by a van fire on the A31, which in turn spread to the central reservation and then into heathland in the New Forest.
The fire began just after 5pm on Sunday and the large plumes of dark smoke could be seen from the Island. Some motorists on the A31 were were forced to abandon their vehicles after the fire broke out.
Fire service response
Twenty-six fire engines, four water carriers, six off-road vehicles and a number of command vehicles were on scene near Ringwood on Sunday evening.
By this morning, crew numbers had been reduced to 10 fire engines and 10 off-road vehicles.
Advice for residents
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service issued a warning to residents,
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.
We ask that you first check the smell of smoke in your area isn’t caused by a separate fire, and if so, please dial 999.
A strong smell of smoke continued throughout the night and into the morning as far south as Ventnor.
Road closures
The A31 remains closed from Junction 2.
