Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident as firefighters battled the Westbury White Horse fire on grassland near the landmark in Bratton, Wiltshire. People in Westbury were warned to avoid the area after a wildfire broke out, and nearby residents were told to close doors and windows if smoke affected them.
The fire service said an area of about four acres, or 1.6 hectares, was well alight as crews used hose reel jets and beaters to tackle the blaze. DWFRS also said it was dealing with a large number of incidents across its service area and told the public: "We are working hard to respond to emergency calls as quickly as possible and want to reassure the public that if you dial 999 for the fire service, you will get help."
Westbury White Horse in Bratton
Neil Adams, who lives nearby, said the fire hit a place many people know by sight. "It's such a landmark and to see it going up in flames is pretty emotional to be honest," he said. He added: "You see these fires all the time, they've got that one in the New Forest, but when you see it close to home it just makes you think."
The understands the blaze is still some distance from the white horse chalk figure, which means the current response is focused on holding the fire on the surrounding grassland rather than on the landmark itself. Adams also warned: "Everywhere's become so dry and if it got up on [Salisbury] Plain I don't think they'd be able to stop it."
Wiltshire and Dorset
DWFRS told the public to take extra precautions during the period and said residents affected by smoke should shut doors and windows. The major incident declaration reflects the pressure on crews across Wiltshire and Dorset, where the service said it was responding to a large number of incidents at the same time.
The open question for residents near Westbury is whether the fire can be kept away from the chalk figure as crews continue to work the grassland around Bratton. For anyone in the smoke plume, the immediate step is to stay indoors with doors and windows closed and use 999 if the fire service is needed.
