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Science/nature/environment

Dangerous fires in the New Forest area on the A31

(11 Posts)
Silvershadow Mon 10-Aug-26 16:01:24

This is on BBC news. Roads are being closed. Drivers abandoning cars. The poor wildlife with no escape from these fires. Apparently this was caused by a van which caught fire on the road.

Might be worth avoiding this area for now so they can attempt to put it out.

Grannyme6 Mon 10-Aug-26 16:07:09

That’s a regular route for us, hopefully passing that way at the end of the week. Devastating for the wildlife, such a beautiful area too.

Mamie Mon 10-Aug-26 16:13:04

I know that stretch very well. Hugely important from a wildlife point of view. It will be chaos on the A35. Let's hope they can keep it under control.

avitorl Mon 10-Aug-26 16:14:14

So many ponies running free there.It is horrendous to think of them being caught up in a fire and the same for all wild life species of course

Whitewavemark2 Mon 10-Aug-26 16:14:46

Our go to for walking and enjoyment.

That is utterly devastating. The ponies, cows, deer, birds, insects etc.

Silvershadow Mon 10-Aug-26 16:20:54

It is very sad. Of course it’s a holiday area too and traders are relying on the August tourists who may not be able to go now.

The poor ponies and other animals. I hope they can be rescued.

We love the New Forest, such a special place.

merlotgran Mon 10-Aug-26 16:29:18

We love the New Forest, such a special place.

Indeed it is. My heart breaks for the wildlife wherever these fires break out.

Maremia Mon 10-Aug-26 16:31:17

Dreadful news.

Fallingstar Mon 10-Aug-26 16:39:52

I do think that national parks and nature reserves as well as all of our countryside really needs to be protected with new laws that prohibit access to it during times of drought. Of course all members of the public should be able to enjoy these areas but a minority are causing such wanton devastation of wildlife and forests that could take decades to recover, and not forgetting the danger to human life, either deliberately or because of utter stupidity.

MayBee70 Mon 10-Aug-26 16:54:11

My son was camping there at the weekend; I’m hoping that he’s back. We are losing far too many areas like this. Something has to be done.

TerriBull Mon 10-Aug-26 17:00:34

Know it well, once we pass The Rufus Stone we feel we've well and truly entered the Forest. It's such a special place Pretty small towns and villages where it's not unusual to see the ponies ambling through This is so worrying as to the effects on that area.