Initially, 14 fire engines were deployed to tackle the fire on Monday afternoon, but then another 14 were sent to support them to the scene. The smoke plume extended throughout a wide area making it impenetrable.

The A35, between Bere Regis and Morden Park Corner, as well as Sugar Hill and Bere Road have been shut to traffic.

The smoke is travelling towards the Bournemouth, Poole, Ferndown and Wimborne areas.

Residents have been advised to keep windows and doors closed.

Locals should be especially vigilant if presenting coronavirus symptoms.

A spokesperson for the fire service said there will be long delays on the roads.

They have urged residents to avoid travelling around the area.

The electricity pylons in the forest, near the scene of the fire may have been affected, leading to potential disruption to supplies locally.

Members of the public have been advised to use the 105 service if they experience a power cut.

READ: Coronavirus warning – tingling pain in your hands you shouldn’t ignore

The crews gathered to tackle the fire are from Bere Regis, two from Wareham, Wimborne, two from Christchurch, three from Poole, Weymouth, Westbourne, two from Blandford, two from Dorchester, two from Swanage, Ferndown, Redhill Park, two from Sturminster Newton, Shaftesbury, two from Bridport, Verwood, Springbourne, Warminster and New Milton.

Dorset Police said they received a report at around 1.11pm from the fire service regarding a large fire in the area of Sugar Hill and Bere Road near Wareham.

Officers travelled to the scene and implemented road closures on Bere Road between the A35 and Wareham.

The Dorset Marine Policing Team are working with the fire services along with the NPAS helicopter.

DON’T MISS:
WHO chief issues worldwide alert over deadly syndrome in children [UPDATES]
Italians’ bid to leave the EU surges as voters ‘change mind on Europe’ [REVEALED]
Coronavirus POLL: Should China face coronavirus probe as UK joins? [INSIGHT]

The Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service declared the fire a major incident.

The force forecasted that the fire will remain active for the next 24 hours.

In a tweet on their official Twitter account (@DWFireRescue), the Rescue Service said: “Major incident declared!! The #Wareham forest fire now been declared as a major incident.

“This is a protected incident and we expect it to carry on for the next 24 hours.

“Please continue to avoid the area and keep windows closed due to the smoke.@dorsetpolice”

In a second update, the force said: “The A35 is likely to remain closed for a numbers of hours and into tomorrow so please check your route before travelling to work tomorrow. @mybcpcouncil @dorset_police @TravelDorset”

More than 150 firefighters were tackling the fire in Wareham forest, where approximately 100 hectares of heath & woodland are being affected.

Members of the public have been advised that the blaze is an ongoing incident and urged to help by keeping out of the area.