Crews still tackling hot spots at heathland fire

Firefighters are continuing to tackle hotspots at a heathland fire.

The wildfire broke out at Blackwater, in Hampshire, on Saturday at about 13:30 BST and has spread across about 10 hectares (25 acres) of heathland near the Surrey border.

More than 60 firefighters in nine fire engines, along with three water carriers and numerous specialist wildfire vehicles, have been working overnight to bring the fire under control and prevent further spread.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service (HIWFRS) said crews would remain at the heathland throughout Sunday and urged people to avoid the area.

Fire services across the south of England have warned that a few days of hot weather have "greatly increased" the risk of wildfires as the country experiences its third heatwave of 2026.