Firefighters on the Isle of Wight have entered a third day of operations at Headon Warren, continuing to tackle a substantial heathland blaze that has ravaged 25 hectares (62 acres) of woodland. Crews from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) worked through the night and are currently monitoring remaining hotspots and extinguishing any flare-ups in the gorse fire, which was first reported on Thursday morning.
The incident, located in West Wight, has seen a multi-agency response, with additional fire appliances and support personnel ferried from the mainland. Avon Fire and Rescue Service deployed a high-volume pump to extract water directly from the sea, aiding crews in their efforts. Wightlink, the ferry operator, assisted by transporting fire engines, which caused some delays for passengers.
The National Trust, which owns the affected land, confirmed the fire is now considered "under control" but noted the significant impact on the landscape, which will require considerable time to recover. The charity expressed its profound gratitude to all involved, including the fire service, helicopter crews, local farmers who created fire breaks with tractors, and the wider community for their support during the complex incident.
The challenging terrain, remote location, and proximity to the cliff edge at Headon Warren were cited by wildfire tactical advisor Larry Mackrell as factors that complicated firefighting efforts. On Friday, a helicopter was deployed to drop water on areas that were otherwise inaccessible to ground crews.
Public safety remains a priority, with the Isle of Wight Council issuing a notice on Friday to close all public rights of way leading to and crossing Headon Warren. These restrictions, implemented under an Emergency Temporary Traffic Regulation Order, are in place to protect the public and ensure emergency services can operate safely. The closures will remain effective until all emergency operations are complete. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined by the fire service.