Crews still tackling New Forest fire that spread from vehicle on A31
A major heathland fire in the New Forest, sparked by a van fire on the A31, has forced the closure of major roads and the evacuation of motorists. Emergency crews are working to contain the blaze, which has affected over 100 hectares of land.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the environmental vulnerability of protected heathlands and the logistical impact of major infrastructure disruptions.
Image source, Nenad Žilić Image caption, More than 20 motorists were forced to abandon their cars on the dual carriageway on Sunday afternoon
A woman says she feared her family's car might go up in flames due to a heathland fire, before they abandoned the vehicle on a main road.
Crews are still battling the fire , which began when a van caught fire on the A31 near Ringwood, Hampshire, on Sunday, forcing motorists to abandon more than 20 vehicles. It now spans about 100 hectares (247 acres).
Lindsey Legg was with her husband and three children and said "women and children were walking with buggies" on the road and it had been "pretty scary".
National Highways says the dual carriageway remains closed westbound between the M27 at junction 2 for Ower and the A338 at Ringwood and eastbound between the A338 and M27 junction 1 for Cadnam.
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