A major wildfire continues to burn across Dartmoor today, entering a second day as fire crews from across Devon remain at the scene.
The blaze, first reported shortly before 2.30pm on Saturday, has spread quickly due to dry conditions and moderate winds.
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Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the fire front now measures approximately 3km in length and 1.5km in width.
Emergency services were first called to the scene following multiple 999 calls from members of the public.
Fire crews from Okehampton, Hatherleigh and North Tawton were immediately mobilised, supported by a water bowser from Danes Castle in Exeter, a wildfire support officer and an additional senior officer.
As crews from Okehampton were deploying, their 4x4 vehicle and All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) were also sent to the scene.
While en route, Hatherleigh crews observed heavy smoke issuing from the moor and requested a second ATV, which was mobilised from Tavistock.
On arrival, firefighters moved toward the fire using ATVs for a clearer assessment. An assistance message was then sent to fire control requesting two more ATVs, which were deployed from Bovey Tracey and Middlemoor.
A drone unit from the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) station was also requested to provide aerial oversight of the fire’s spread.
By 5pm, crews estimated the fire front to be around one mile wide, spreading at approximately one metre per minute due to wind conditions.
Poor access across the moorland terrain made firefighting efforts challenging. By 5.30pm, the fire had extended to between one and two miles, prompting crews to relocate for improved access.
Dartmoor Rangers joined firefighters on the ground to assist with strategic planning. The fire service also requested an Incident Command Unit, which was deployed from Totnes and staffed by a crew from Buckfastleigh.
By 6.30pm, crews were still working with Dartmoor Rangers and using four ATVs to monitor the size and movement of the fire front.
At 10.15pm, a police helicopter from the National Police Air Service (NPAS) flew over the area, confirming the fire front had grown to an area of approximately 3km by 1.4km.
Additional support arrived later that night, including a 4x4 from Princetown, a welfare unit from Ivybridge, and two more fire appliances from Chagford and Princetown.
Further appliances were requested for midnight relief, and were sent from Moretonhampstead and Yelverton at around 2.15am.
Throughout the night, fire crews maintained a watching brief from two strategic locations as winds blowing against the fire helped to slow its spread.
Supporting officers were rotated during overnight reliefs. By 8am this morning, fire appliances from Tavistock and Crediton had arrived to continue firefighting efforts.
A new Incident Command Unit replaced the original unit from Totnes. The fire remains active and is continuing to move in the predicted direction.
The 4x4 from Princetown was remobilised to help with access, and ATVs from Tavistock and Bovey Tracey were redeployed to reach and extinguish the remaining hotspots.
As of 8.30am, crews confirmed that two seats of fire were still burning. One fire front is located near Cut Hill, where firefighters are operating with two Argo Cats and four ATVs alongside Dartmoor Commoners.
The second fire is burning between Fir Tor and Pinswell, where Commoner response teams are also at work.
A fire appliance crew from Crediton is stationed at a lookout point monitoring fire behaviour. At 8.50am, another assistance message was received, and an additional ATV crew was mobilised from Lynton.
At 11am, a multi-agency meeting took place between Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, the police, Dartmoor Rangers and Commoners.
Crews continue to use ATVs and leaf blowers to contain and control the fire. The total area affected by the fire is still being assessed, and efforts remain focused on preventing further spread in difficult terrain.
Members of the public are strongly advised not to visit the Merrivale or Okehampton areas of Dartmoor at this time.
Firefighters are continuing to monitor the fire closely, and access remains restricted to ensure safety.
There have been reports that some wild campers have refused to leave the moor despite warnings, creating additional challenges for emergency services.
Plymouth Plus will continue to provide live updates on this developing story in the article below:
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