Peat burning underground sparks heathland flare-up

The aftermath of the wildfire at Headon Warren, West Wight - charred heathland alongside cliffs with sea seen to the edge of the land.

Image source, HIWFRSImage caption,

The fire at Headon Warren on the West Wight coast destroyed about nine hectares (22.2 acres) of heathland

Published58 minutes ago

Firefighters have tackled a small blaze at the site of a coastal wildfire that burned for five days on the Isle of Wight.

The fire at Headon Warren, where campfire remains were found by crews, first started on 23 July - it wiped out nine hectares (22.2 acres) of heathland.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said the fire, about midday on Tuesday, involved peat burning below ground. The service said it can smoulder for a long time when heat from a fire is trapped.

The fire's remote location, steep slopes and nearby cliff edge made it difficult to tackle. Eighty firefighters tackled the blaze at its height with a helicopter also brought in to drop seawater on the flames.

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Image source, National Trust Images/John MillerImage caption,
Headon Warren is a nationally important maritime heathland and rare limestone grassland
Image source, National Trust Images/John MillerImage caption,
An aerial shot shows the extent of the damage at Headon Warren after a small campfire is believed to have caused the wild fire
Image source, National Trust Images/John MillerImage caption,
Paul Davies has expressed his gratitude to businesses, farmers and the Rapid Relief Team, which worked alongside the National Trust and fire service throughout the fire
Image source, National Trust Images/John MillerImage caption,
The heathland looks "bleak", Paul Davies says, after the fire ravaged nine hectares
Image source, National Trust Images/John MillerImage caption,
Looking out towards The Needles lighthouse with burnt land visible
Image source, National Trust Images/John MillerImage caption,
It could take three to four years for the vegetation to recover, the National Trust says
Image source, National Trust Images/John MillerImage caption,
Davies says there is not a lot they can do to hasten recovery
Image source, Island EchoImage caption,
At its peak, 80 firefighters tackled the blaze with farmers working to create fire breaks to stop the fire spreading

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Previous imageNext imageSlide 1 of 8, Blackened heathland on a cliff edge, overlooking a yacht sailing on the Solent, Headon Warren is a nationally important maritime heathland and rare limestone grasslandEnd of image gallery

The land in West Wight, home to the Isle of Wight's largest maritime heathland and rare limestone grassland will take years to recover, The National Trust has said.

Paul Davies, the island's National Trust countryside manager, said a large number of nesting birds will have died as well as reptiles, small mammals and amphibians.

Before the fire, the area's remote location meant there was little disturbance from walkers and dogs, allowing wildlife to thrive.

Footpaths have reopened, but walkers are being asked to avoid any burnt areas to protect wildlife and allow the site to recover.

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Figure caption,

Fire service footage showed a helicopter dropping sea water on the flames

At its peak, 80 firefighters tackled the blaze, with Isle of Wight crews supported by firefighters and engines ferried over from the mainland.

About 30 hectares (about 74 acres) of Headon Warren, which is cared for by the National Trust, is farmed by Warren Farm as part of a long-term partnership with Natural England to restore rare maritime heathland and limestone grassland habitats.