New video footage shared with Bournemouth One reveals the damage and continuing emergency response on the A31 through the New Forest.
The road has remained closed since a vehicle fire seven days ago on Sunday 9 August, and the footage shows more than 30 emergency response vehicles currently parked along the carriageway.
Incident response vehicles, fire engines, police cars and ambulances are visible at the scene, together with an investigation tent and several rapid response pop-ups being used as the operation continues.
The video also records large water pipes running beside the carriageway, with portable toilets positioned nearby for those working across the extensive emergency response site.
Damage visible along the route includes burnt sections of the central reservation, missing fences beside the road and scarred areas of the carriageway following the fire.
The number and range of vehicles at the scene show the considerable emergency presence which remains on the closed road a week after the original incident.
The video showing the current condition of the A31 and the activity along the carriageway is available to watch on Bournemouth One’s Instagram account and below.
With special thanks to Kelvin Willis for sharing the footage from his recovery vehicle.
In the latest update from Hampshire and IOW Fire Service, they say firefighting efforts continue to focus on preventing re-ignition. Firefighters are doing this by locating and extinguishing hot spots, and maintaining a “wet line” perimeter – keeping the ground wet to prevent spread of fire to the forest outside of the affected area.
They add: “Due to the size and complexity of the incident, this preventative firefighting will continue for a number of days.”
Once the area has been made say, work can begin on fixing the surface of the road along with barriers and fencing, suggesting the road may be fully closed for an extended period of time beyond the previously announced anticipated opening date of August 20th.
Crews from as far away as West Yorkshire are on the scene, with the local fire service saying: “We’re incredibly grateful to every Service who has supported us with the personnel, equipment and specialist skills needed to tackle this large and challenging wildfire safely and effectively. In particular, we’re thankful to the firefighters who have travelled away from their homes and loved ones to help save our forest.”
