A vehicle fire on the A31 near Ringwood in Hampshire's New Forest spread into the central reservation and then into surrounding heathland on Sunday evening, prompting a large-scale response from fire crews and forcing the closure of the road in both directions. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said 26 fire engines were sent to tackle the blaze, which began as a single vehicle fire before escalating.
The fire service said it had logged more than 160 emergency calls reporting the initial vehicle fire on the A31 eastbound at around 17:20 BST. According to the Daily Echo, the blaze was first reported at 5:24pm, and firefighters initially attempted to contain it using two hose reels before flames took hold of vegetation in the central reservation.
What roads have been closed and how bad is the traffic?
The A31 has been shut in both directions between Picket Post and junction two of the M27, with National Highways describing the closure as running between M27 junction two and the A338, according to National Highways' live travel updates. The Daily Echo also reported that the A31 had been closed at junction one of the M27, with the M27 itself shut from junction two as emergency crews worked to bring the fire under control. Long queues built up in the area, and drivers were urged to allow extra time and follow diversion signs, per the same report.
A Hampshire Roads Policing Unit update cited by the Daily Echo said some members of the public had removed sections of the central barriers themselves, allowing motorists trapped in gridlocked traffic to turn around and find alternative routes rather than wait for official diversions.
How far has the smoke from the fire travelled?
The scale of the blaze meant its smoke plume was visible well beyond the immediate area, with sightings reported as far away as Swanage and Southampton, according to the Daily Echo. This indicates the fire's reach extended significantly beyond the stretch of road that was closed. Motorists in the wider region were advised to avoid the area, a message echoed in live traffic coverage that placed the closure near Ringwood.
Has this part of the A31 caught fire before?
This is not the first time this stretch of road has been disrupted by fire. A separate blaze on the A31 near the Ashley Heath roundabout had already caused delays earlier in the same period, according to GB News. Hampshire fire service records also describe an earlier vehicle fire on the Hampshire-Dorset border in which crews used breathing apparatus, a hose reel jet and a dry powder extinguisher to extinguish a roadside blaze, according to Hampshire fire service. Heathland fires have also featured elsewhere in the region this summer, including a large gorse blaze at Headon Warren on the Isle of Wight, which required a helicopter water-drop to help bring under control.
Who else is responding to the fire?
Crews from across Hampshire were joined by colleagues from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, alongside four water carriers, six off-road vehicles and multiple command vehicles. The scale of the deployment reflects both the initial vehicle fire and its subsequent spread into the central reservation and heathland.
What happens next?
As of the latest travel updates, National Highways continued to list the closure as an active incident with delays expected, suggesting drivers should anticipate further disruption until the scene is fully cleared. A regional traffic bulletin also indicated the A31 remained closed eastbound while crews continued dealing with the aftermath, meaning a full reopening had not yet been confirmed.
Key Facts
- 26 fire engines responded to the vehicle fire on the A31 near Ringwood on Sunday evening.
- More than 160 emergency calls were made reporting the blaze at around 17:20 BST.
- The A31 was closed in both directions between Picket Post and M27 junction two, with reports of additional closures at M27 junctions one and two.
- Smoke from the fire was reported visible as far away as Swanage and Southampton.
- Crews from Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire fire services attended, along with four water carriers and six off-road vehicles.
