Latest news with #HIWFRS
BBC News
2 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Field of crops near Hursley destroyed as fire takes hold
A large field of crops has been destroyed in a and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) said crews were called to the field at Hursley, near Winchester, Hampshire, shortly before 14:00 BST on six hectares (15 acres) of standing crops were involved in the blaze which was brought under control using beaters and multiple hose reel urged the public to stay vigilant for fires in the countryside following the hot, dry weather and not to light campfires, barbecues or discard cigarettes and other litter which could start fires. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
New Forest areas assessed for damage after seven weekend fires
Several areas of a national park are being assessed for damage following weekend the worst incident in the New Forest, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) said crews from Hardley and Beaulieu began tackling a blaze on Exbury Road, Beaulieu, shortly before 22:00 BST on reels and jets, as well as a specialist water carrier vehicle from Eastleigh, were used to extinguish the blaze which affected a 60m by 40m area of England said it was one of seven fire-related incidents in the forest over the weekend, at least two of which were caused by campfires. "The current risk of wildfires is high and everyone visiting can help to protect the forest."We are reviewing the affected areas to assess the level of damage. "We would like to thank the fire service for attending the incidents so quickly and making the areas safe," it added. The site at Beaulieu is still being monitored and the cause is being use of barbecues and the lighting of campfires in the New Forest is prohibited under Public Space Protection Orders introduced in England also urged people to discard any cigarettes, glass bottles and other litter safely to reduced the risk of wildfires following the hot, dry weather conditions. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Hundreds sign petition against Hampshire fire service cuts
A petition protesting a £1.6 million cut to "frontline" fire and rescue services has gathered hundreds of by Fire Brigades Union (FBU) regional secretary Mark Chapman, the online appeal says the proposed cut to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) risked "pushing a service already on its knees into critical failure".HIWFRS said it was facing "financial challenges" but that community safety would always be the is currently running a consultation into the changes planned for the Isle of Wight, which closes on 29 July. The changes include closing two fire stations in Bembridge and Yarmouth, and removing the Aerial Ladder Platform in Chapman's petition, which has so far gained 480 signatures, said that years of cuts had left fire services across the country "dangerously under-resourced"."In Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, this has already resulted in shortages of firefighters and fire engines," it Chapman said: "In an industry where every second counts, this continued degradation in resources and people trained to respond poses a significant risk to local communities." Rob Cole, assistant chief fire officer at HIWFRS, said safety was the top priority and they "carefully reviewed our community risk levels against our resources" when developing the said financial challenges meant the service had "no choice but to find ways to make savings"."But we will always seek to do that in a way that ensures we can continue to reduce risk and respond to emergencies as quickly and as effectively as we can," he said."We welcome views on the proposed changes and are engaging with our firefighters, staff and the unions on all our proposals."The BBC has approached the government for comment. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Huge wildfire rages in the New Forest: Ferocious flames tower over fire engines battling to put out blaze
A huge wildfire ripped through a historic British national park, with flames towering over the fire engines valiantly trying to put them out. The blaze broke out in Beaulieu, part of the picturesque New Forest in Hampshire, on Saturday evening. The dramatic fire caused thick black smoke to pour into the sky, throwing up soot and debris. A video shows the dramatic scale of the gorse fire with bright orange flames visible from miles away on July 12. It took firefighters two hours to dampen down the fire, which covered a patch of gorse measuring around 60 metres by 40 metres. The fire took place close to the Royal Oak pub and one of their staff was the first to call it in at around 9.30pm last night. Assistant manager James Winters described the scene as 'quite a blaze'. He said: 'There was black smoke and I thought maybe a car had been burnt out and it had caught stuff around it. 'It was one of our guys that called the fire brigade as he was leaving at about 9.30pm. He was just driving out to go home when he saw it. 'I think they got hold of it quite quickly and it was out before midnight, about 11.20pm. They did a really good job.' A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) said a specialist vehicle was used to help tackle the blaze. They said: 'On-call firefighters tackled a large gorse bush fire on Exbury Road in Beaulieu last night. 'Crews from Hardley and Beaulieu were alerted shortly before 10pm and were supported by specialist water carrier vehicle from Eastleigh. 'Hose reels and jets were used to extinguish the blaze which affected a 60m by 40m area of gorse. 'Firefighters dampened down the scene and arranged a reinspection in the morning before handing the incident over to Forestry England teams. 'HIWFRS returned to station at around midnight.' The UK has seen a large number of wildfires over the past week as the country has been engulfed by the third heatwave this year with temperatures soaring above 30C.
BBC News
20-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Safety fears raised over Hampshire and Isle of Wight fire cuts
Proposed cuts of up to £1.6m to a fire and rescue service would "undermine safety" for both firefighters and the public, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) has proposed savings measures including reducing the number of fire engines and closing stations on the Isle of FBU has launched an online petition opposing the changes, with southern regional chairman Dave Hunt calling on the fire authority to "stop these cuts immediately".The service said it was facing "financial challenges" but would still respond to emergencies "as quickly and as effectively as we can". As part of the savings, less frequently used fire engines at four on-call stations - Romsey Waterlooville, Petersfield and Lymington - would be a new specialist rescue vehicle and fire vehicle would lead to a reduction of 20 staff at Cosham and Redbridge stations, although there will be no redundancies, HIWFRS month it unveiled plans to combine Yarmouth and Freshwater fire stations, which would mean two fire engines could operate in the west of the Isle of are also proposals to stop operational responses from Bembridge fire Isle of Wight plans are open to public consultation until the end of Cole, assistant chief fire officer, said in developing its savings proposals, the service had "carefully reviewed our community risk levels against our resources".He said: "The costs of delivering our services have outpaced the funding we receive. "Without an increase in government funding, fire and rescue services have no choice but to find ways to make savings, but we will always seek to do that in a way that ensures we can continue to reduce risk and respond to emergencies as quickly and as effectively as we can." 'Increase response times' The National Fire Chiefs Council recently criticised "prolonged disinvestment in fire and rescue services over many years".Many fire services also faced a shortfall in funding after the government failed to give them the same level of compensation for tax increases as the police, BBC research a meeting of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Authority, Mr Hunt said the service was already "losing resilience"."If implemented, these cuts will increase response times," he said."Ultimately we're undermining both public and firefighter safety - as firefighters, we need to know we have the right number of people when we turn up."He called for a "full and detailed review" of HIWFRS' current work and roles and said the service should "put safety first and stop these cuts".The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said fire and rescue Authorities have received almost £3bn in the last financial year."We understand the challenges that fire services are facing, and despite the inheritance this government has been left with, we are determined to deliver better public services through our Plan for Change," it added. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
