Small Fire in West Moors Plantation – Appeal for Information

Small Fire in West Moors Plantation – Appeal for Information

Dorset Police are appealing for information following a small fire in West Moors Plantation on the evening of Monday 27 July 2026.

At approximately 10.45pm, a report was received from a member of the public of a fire within the plantation.

We are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident and may have seen any suspicious activity, people gathering within the plantation, or anyone leaving the area shortly before or after the fire was discovered.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police, quoting occurrence number 55260115075. Information can be submitted online via the Dorset Police website at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101.

What to Do If You Discover a Fire in a Forest, Woodland or Open Countryside

If you discover a fire in a forest, woodland, heathland or other open countryside area:

Move to a safe location immediately, away from the fire, smoke and surrounding vegetation. Wildfires can spread rapidly and change direction unexpectedly.

Call 999 straight away and ask for the Fire Service. Do not assume someone else has already reported it.

Provide as accurate a location as possible. Use landmarks, road names, access points or apps such as What3Words to help emergency services locate the fire quickly.

Do not attempt to tackle the fire yourself. Even small fires can spread rapidly and become dangerous.

Keep well away from the area. Fire can spread through dry vegetation and may continue to smoulder beneath the surface.

Follow the advice of emergency services. If instructed to leave the area or avoid certain routes, do so promptly.

Thank you to the member of the public whose prompt report enabled a swift response. By working together and reporting suspicious activity, we can help keep our local green spaces safe for everyone.

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Message Sent By
5104 Adam Fitzwalter
(Dorset Police, Police Community Support Officer, East Dorset)