New Forest fire: Healthland may take decades to recover as A31 remains closed and more than 120 firefighters tackle ‘devastating’ blaze

A vehicle fire on the A31 in the New Forest National Park has spread to protected heathland, prompting a massive response from over 120 firefighters. The blaze threatens a rare habitat that experts warn could take decades to recover.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the vulnerability of protected ecological sites to accidental fires and the significant resources required for emergency containment.
Emergency services say a vehicle fire spread to the A31 central reservation and nearby heathland
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