The New Forest has strong fire safety measures in place, but a major wildfire has raised questions about whether prevention measures can keep pace with increasingly extreme weather.

A major wildfire has been burning across more than 100 hectares of the New Forest, with more than 120 firefighters working to contain it.

The fire began on Sunday after a vehicle caught fire on the A31 near Ringwood, but the extremely dry conditions have made it difficult to control. Changing winds, dry heathland, difficult terrain and challenges around maintaining a water supply have all added to the pressure on emergency crews.

The New Forest already takes precautions

The New Forest is no stranger to the risk of wildfire, and significant measures are already in place to protect the landscape, wildlife and people who visit it.

Fires, BBQs and outdoor cooking equipment are currently banned across the Forest, with fines in place for those who ignore the restrictions. Visitors are also asked to report fires, unattended BBQs and other potential sources of ignition immediately.

During periods of particularly dry and hot weather, further restrictions can also be introduced at designated campsites.

These measures are designed to reduce the chance of human activity starting a fire, which is particularly important in an area containing valuable heathland, wildlife and habitats.

But what happens when the weather becomes the risk?

The current wildfire highlights the limits of prevention when extreme weather creates dangerous conditions across an entire landscape.

The New Forest has reportedly gone 59 days without rain, leaving vegetation and peat exceptionally dry. High temperatures and changing winds can then allow fires to spread quickly, even when precautions are already in place.

Firefighters have been using fire engines and off-road vehicles to cool the edges of the blaze, while police drones are being used to identify hotspots and manage flare-ups.

The National Fire Chiefs Council also reported that July was the busiest month on record for wildfires, with 458 incidents attended by fire services.

Preparing for a more extreme fire risk

The New Forest's precautions show how seriously fire prevention is already being taken. But extreme weather is creating a different challenge.

You can restrict BBQs, ban fires and warn visitors about the risks, but those measures cannot stop a landscape from becoming dangerously dry during prolonged periods of heat and drought.

For fire safety professionals, this raises an important question: are existing approaches to wildfire prevention enough for the conditions we may increasingly face?

As extreme heat and prolonged dry periods become more common, fire safety planning may need to go beyond preventing ignition and focus more heavily on how communities, landscapes and emergency services can prepare for fires that are more difficult to contain.

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