Dorset fire service gets new vehicle to tackle heath fires
A fire service has invested nearly half a million pounds in a new off-road multi-functional vehicle to help tackle heath fires.Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) already has an Unimog, based at Wareham Fire Station, which is now 16 years old.A project to replace it started about three years ago and the new one arrived in April. The service said that after "extensive testing and driver training", it was now operationally available and had already been used at three wildfires over the weekend.
The Unimog has a capacity of 4,500 litres of water and 162 litres of foam.It also has front, rear and roof-mounted monitors that can direct large quantities of water or foam at a fire.DWFRS said the off-road capability of the new machine had been "significantly enhanced".It now features upgraded tyres, the addition of a low-ratio gear box and the ability to set the tyre pressures to the type of terrain.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Darren Langdown said the Unimog was able to respond to flooding and thatch fires, as well as large fires in the open."We have seen a significant increase in the number of wildfires across our service area over the past five years, and the Unimog has been an invaluable asset to tackling these," he said.He added the new features would also "enhance our firefighting capabilities" in heaths and other hard-to-reach rural locations.DWFRS said the new Unimog would be on show on Thursday at Wareham Fire Station.
You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Car mechanic expert reveals most reliable used car in UK… it's 20 years old and cost just £500
A LEADING car mechanic has revealed one of the UK's most reliable cars. The 20-year-old vehicle has none of the usual, 'unnecessary bells and whistles' and costs just £500. 3 3 Paul Lucas, a car expert, has said that the iconic MK1 Ford Focus is one of the best cars that money can buy. According to him, it's both reliable and focuses on simplicity. The star is an owner of an MK1 vehicle himself and bought it for just £500. He's owned the car for over 15 years and has never looked back. He said: 'For me a 20-year-old 1.6 litre Mk1 Ford Focus is top for reliability. 'It was designed before all the unnecessary bells and whistles came in and even lets you start the car with a real key rather than press a button. 'I bought mine 15 years ago for £500 and have no regrets.' According to AutoExpress, the Focus has an "incredible agility" thanks to its innovative multi-link rear suspension. Although the engine isn't the most fearsome on the road, it's 113bhp 1.8-litre four cylinder units remain fresh for years. The car has a spacious interior, with 350 litres of boot space which is only 31 litres less than a brand-new Volkswagen Golf Mark 8. Ford is forced to immediately shut down factories and halt car production as CEO admits 'day to day' struggle for brand As the cost of a new vehicle soars, Brits are looking for alternative ways of getting on the roads for less. According to Wheeler Dealer superstar Mike Brewer, there is an easy trick which can help you bag a used car for less. The TV presenter says that motorists should look to part-exchange their vehicles to get some money off. Mike said: 'A dealer would be happy to do a much better deal with you on your part exchange, therefore giving you a much better deal on the car you're buying in the hope he can put your car in stock and sell it again.' Dealers will be eager to fill up their stocks and you'll get some money off of your purchase, making both parties happy. However, the star did issue a warning to drivers looking to exchange their car. He said: 'Make sure if you've got a good part exchange. 'If you've got a decent car, clean it, make sure it's really presentable and choose the right dealer to take it to and change up your car. 'That is very important.' Car sales have remained stable over the year, with the Ford Puma topping the sales charts. Over 21,900 models have been sold this year, with the Kia Sportage coming in second place with over 19,600 sales being made. In a close third, the Nissan Qashqai has sold over 17,000 models. 3
Reuters
5 hours ago
- Reuters
Car maker Lotus says it has no plans to close English factory
LONDON, June 28 (Reuters) - British-based sportscar company Lotus said it has no plans to close a factory in eastern England, following a report in the Financial Times which said manufacturing there could end with the loss of 1,300 jobs. "Lotus Cars is continuing normal operations, and there are no plans to close the factory," Lotus said in an emailed statement on Saturday. "We are actively exploring strategic options to enhance efficiency and ensure global competitiveness in the evolving market." Lotus is owned by China's Geely ( and Malaysia's Etika Automotive and the brand produces cars in Britain and China. Any closure of the factory in Hethel, Norfolk, would have been a blow for Britain's auto industry which is suffering as a result of tariffs imposed by the United States. Britain's vehicle production dropped 32.8% from a year ago industry data showed on Friday. The Financial Times said the government had intervened to signal it would offer Lotus support after news emerged that the factory could shut, but the Department for Business and Trade did not confirm that. "The government does not comment on speculation or the commercial affairs of private companies," a spokesperson for the department said on Saturday. While Britain has negotiated a trade deal with the U.S. which will reduce the tariffs for a quota of exported vehicles, it does not come into force until the end of June. Meanwhile, car makers have reported lower output and exports to both the U.S. and the European Union, according to economic data.
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE 'Rich Kid of Instagram' handbag swindler exposed as a paedophile: Branded 'Kardashian of Cheshire', he lived a crime-fuelled millionaire lifestyle. Then a boutique owner brought him down...
Slouching down in the seat of her car, Christine Colbert hid her face beneath a wide-brimmed hat and a pair of oversized sunglasses. Owed tens of thousands of pounds by one-time 'friend' and would-be business partner Jack Watkin, the time had come to spring her carefully planned trap.
