A dramatic video shows a major heath fire burning near Winfrith.

Firefighters rushed to the scene of the blaze near to Winfrith Newburgh on the vening of Monday,July 29, with black smoke seen for miles around.

A video shared with the Echo shows the flames sending black smoke high into the sky and heathland ablaze.

Watch the fire burning through heathland in the video below:

(Video by Paul Wheller)

Crews from Dorchester, Weymouth, Wareham, Swanage, Blandford, Hamworthy and Portland fire stations brought three Land Rovers, four fire engines, three off road fire engines, a water carrier and the unimog to tackle the heathland fire.

Approximately 50 firefighters tackled the inferno which burned for several hours affecting around one hectare heathland and gorse.

Crews were called at 5.40pm and firefighters had the fire surrounded by 7.45pm with crews attempting to dampen down the flames. 

Two hours later at 9.45pm al fire crews had left the scene with a crew scheduled to reinspect the site today to ensure there are no hotspots.

It is understood that the fire took place on land owned by Magnox (Nuclear Decommissioning Authority) to the east of Gatemore Road.

This is is close to the Winfrith Nature Reserve run by the Dorset Wildlife Trust which has been left 'deeply concerned' following the blaze.

A spokesperson for the trust said: "Dorset Wildlife Trust is deeply concerned to hear about the fire at Winfrith – we understand that it happened on land owned by Magnox.

"Wildfires are disastrous for wildlife and their habitats, especially at this time of year with birds and reptiles breeding. We are confident that the fire service will have done all they can to limit the damage and to investigate the cause.

The trust also issued some advice for people who may be out in areas that are susceptible to heathland fires.

It added: "We work together with the Dorset Heaths Partnership, Litter Free Dorset and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service to campaign to prevent wildfire through raising awareness that it is illegal to light a fire or BBQ on heathland and to encourage people to bring a picnic instead of a BBQ, not to smoke on nature reserves and to always take rubbish home.

A spokesperson for Dorchester Fire Station said: "At approximately 5.40pm crews from Dorchester and Poole were mobilised to a heath fire in the Winfrirh area.

"Due to the large volume of calls, the large smoke column and size of the fire, on arrival we made an assistance message to include three Land Rovers, four fire engines, three off road fire engines, a water carrier and the unimog.

"Crews worked hard to surround the fire which measured approximately a hectare."