Fire tears through Bourne Valley Nature Reserve

Multiple firefighters from across the county tackled the blaze in Poole into the early hours of Sunday, April 7. 

According to Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, a call came in at one minute past midnight and was followed by a further 42 concerned residents.

Firefighters from stations in Redhill, Westbourne, Poole, Wimborne, Christchurch, Hamworthy, Ferndown and Wareham all rushed to tackle the blaze over the course of about an hour.

Police were also called to the fire to investigate, the fire service said, however the force is not responding to the Echo's enquiries.

When asked if the fire was believed to be arson, the fire service directed us to Dorset Police.

Daylight revealed heathland on one of the hilltops charred and severely damaged with the smell of smoke still lingering in the air.

Residents walking in the nature reserve described their sadness at yet another fire on the heathland. 

Flames in the distance (Image: Vicki Hayward)

Poole resident Elaine Sidley, out walking her dog, said she was “disheartened” to see the “destruction” the fire has left behind. 

She said: “There are so many animals that live here – reptiles, insects, protected animals – that to see their home destroyed like this is sad. 

“But there are always fires here, kids are always starting them, and until somebody teaches them not to do it it’s always going to happen.” 

The area is renowned as one of the best sites in Dorset for dragonflies, which thrive in the small acidic pools on the wet heath.  

As well as dragonflies, the nature reserve is home to sand lizards and Dartford warblers – both protected species by law. 

There is also dry acid dwarf shrub heath, wet heath, valley mire, flush, bog pools, ponds, running water, willow carr, secondary oak/birch woodland, acidic grassland, pasture grassland and amenity grassland. 

Another dog walker, John, 69, added: “I didn’t see it happen last night but my neighbour told me he saw the flames from his bedroom window. 

“They were high and he could smell the smoke from his house, about half a mile away maybe. The wind must’ve been blowing it around.”  

Dorset Police and the fire brigade have both been approached for more details. 

Bourne Valley Nature Reserve is also called as an SSSI ('Sites of Special Scientific Interest') because of rare heathland wildlife.

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