Fire Heathland/Moorland - Dartmoor

Fire Control took multiple calls to a large fire on Dartmoor.

Control immediately mobilised 3 fire appliances from Okehampton, Hatherleigh and North Tawton, 1 Water Bowser from Danes Castle (Exeter), a Wildfire Support Officer and another supporting officer. As Okehampton were mobilising their appliance, the decision was made to mobilise their 4X4 vehicle and All Terrain Vehicle (ATV).

Whilst on route to the incident, Hatherleigh fire appliance confirmed large amounts of smoke issuing from the moor and requested a second ATV was mobilised, this was mobilised from Tavistock.

Once Hatherleigh fire appliance was in attendance at a a Dartmoor RVP, crews proceeded towards fire utilising an ATV to gain better observations on fire. Whilst making these observations the incident command sent an assistance request to fire control requesting a further 2 ATV's. These were mobilised from Bovey Tracey and Middlemoor (Exeter). Shortly after this request, the officer in charge requested a drone to attend from our USAR station.

Update at 17:05 - Crews have confirmed the fire front measures approximately 1 mile and spreading 1 metre every minute due to moderate winds. Due to poor access, this is making it difficult for crews to access and extinguish.

Update at 17:30 - Crews confirm the fire front is now measuring 1-2 miles and crews are relocating to help with better access. Fire service are liaising with Dartmoor rangers who are assisting us with this incident. Crews also requested a Incident Command Unit (ICU) to attend to support the incident. This has been mobilised from Totnes with a crew from Buckfastleigh to support them.

Update at 18:30 - Crews are still liaising with Dartmoor rangers and are making plans for the next few hours. Crews are utilising 4 ATV's to currently observe the fire and ascertain current size of fire front.

Update at 22:15 - This incident is still ongoing with an additional 4x4 mobilised from Princetown, a Welfare unit mobilised from Ivybridge, 2 relief appliances mobilised from Chagford and Princetown and a helicopter from National Police Air Service (NPAS) has attended to provide aerial support. Following an overhead flight of the incident, the fire front is confirmed to measure 3kmx1.4km. Fire control have received a further relief request for 2 further appliances to be at the incident for midnight. 

Update at 02:15 - 2 further fire appliances were mobilised around midnight as part of a relief strategy, these were mobilised from Moretonhampstead and Yelverton. Crews are carrying out a watching brief from 2 strategic locations surrounding the fire. The wind is currently blowing against the fire preventing it spreading quickly. Reliefs of supporting officers have also taken place through the night so far.

Update at 08:00 - 2 more fire appliances are now in attend providing further relief for the incident. These appliances have been mobilised from Tavistock and Crediton. An incident command unit is now also in attendance to relieve the ICU from Totnes. Crews have confirmed the fire is still burning and in the predicted direction. The 4x4 from Princetown has been remobilised to assist with access on the moor. Following a multi-agency meeting being held, 2 ATV's from Tavistock and Bovey Tracey have also been remobilised to access and extinguish the fire.

Update at 08:30 - 2 seats of fire still burning - 1 fire front in the Cut Hill area with crew on 2 Argo Cats and 4x ATV's firefighting with assistance from Dartmoor Commoners. 1 fire between Fir Tor and Pinswell with Dartmoor Commoner response working in this area. Crew from Crediton fire appliance is stationed at a lookout point on fire watch.  

Update at 08:50 - Assistance message received to Fire Control requesting a further ATV. Crew from Lynton was mobilised.

Update at 11:00 - a multi-agency meeting has taken place between DSFRS, Police, Dartmoor Rangers and Commoners to establish a course of action moving forward. The current size of this fire is unknown at this time. Crews are fighting fire using ATV's and leaf-blowers.

We request that members of the public do not visit the Merrivale and Okehampton Range area of Dartmoor at this time due to on-going firefighting activities. 

Update at 13:20 - Request for the drone to make an attendance - this was mobilised from Urban Search and Rescue (USAR).

Update at 13:40 - All fire fronts are extinguished. Fire resources, Dartmoor Commoners and Rangers have withdrawn and awaiting further instructions. Crews are awaiting the attendance of the drone to check for any hotspots.

Update at 15:05 - Drone team and 2x ATV deployed onto the moor to check for hot spots.

Update at 17:06 - Approximately 1,230 acres of moorland destroyed by fire. Crews assisted by Dartmoor rangers and Commoners using firefighting equipment. Crews used five Argo Cat vehicles, fogging units, leaf blowers, and a drone for environmental protection. The fire is out, Dartmoor Rangers will revisit tomorrow.