A significant fire that devastated nine hectares (22.2 acres) of rare heathland on the Isle of Wight was 'almost certainly started' by a campfire, a National Trust ranger has stated. The blaze at Headon Warren raged for nearly five days before being extinguished on Monday, leaving behind a 'bleak' landscape.
Paul Davies, countryside manager for the area, described the situation as 'really upsetting', noting that the land, home to some of the island's rarest habitats, will take years to recover. He added that a large number of nesting birds, reptiles, small mammals, and amphibians will have died, with nightjars losing their habitat.
The remote location, steep slopes, and proximity to a cliff edge presented challenging conditions for firefighters, with 80 personnel tackling the blaze at its peak. The National Trust, in partnership with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, deployed a helicopter for aerial water drops on inaccessible hotspots.
James Osman from Warren Farm, which farms part of Headon Warren, expressed his distress at the wildfire's impact on the 'precious heathland habitat'. He highlighted the 'shocking' speed of the fire's spread and the dangers wildfires pose, especially during prolonged dry conditions.
The National Trust reported 13 large open fires on the Isle of Wight this year, surpassing the total for 2025. Larry Mackrell, wildfire support officer, urged visitors to the countryside to exercise extra care, avoid campfires and barbecues, and dispose of waste responsibly to prevent further incidents.