Blazes from Live Firing Exercise Still Smoulder Days Later
Three small fires sparked during a live firing drill on Monday are stubbornly burning on, with Defence forces and firefighters battling to stop the flames spreading further.
Water-Dropping Helicopter Takes to the Skies
The Ministry of Defence revealed a helicopter is now dropping water around the edge of the impact zone. It can’t fly low enough to hit the fires directly because unexploded ordnance could detonate from the heat, risking the crew’s safety.
“More water will be dropped tomorrow and possibly into Friday,” a MoD spokesperson confirmed.
Army Troops Join Firefighters in Firefight
Soldiers from the Royal Artillery and Second Parachute Regiment have stepped in to assist Dorset and Wiltshire firefighters on the ground. They’re dampening down hotspots to protect nearby homes and keep the public safe.
Three Small Fires Still Burning but Under Control
- Two fires remain on the northern plain.
- One fire burns on the southern plain.
- Smoke levels have dropped significantly.
“Only three small fires remain, and we’ve managed to reduce the smoke a lot,” the MoD said.
Defence personnel and firefighters worked through yesterday evening to bring the blazes under control, making a “massive difference,” officials added.
