Fire at Bourne Valley Nature Reserve in Poole thought to have been "started deliberately"
Firefighters were called to tackle the blaze shortly after three yesterday afternoon (6 July)
Last updated 7th Jul 2026
A fire at Bourne Valley Nature Reserve in Poole is thought to have been started deliberately.
Dorset Fire and Rescue Service reported that it received the first of 60 emergency calls regarding the fire at 3.07pm on 6th July.
Police say they are investigating the cause of the blaze after liaising with the fire service.
Detective Inspector Darren Stanton, of Dorset Police, said: “After liaison with the fire service, we believe this fire may have been started deliberately.
“I am appealing to anyone who was in the area and may have any information to help our investigation to please come forward.
“Thankfully, nobody was injured, but these types of fires can have devastating consequences and we will investigate all available lines of enquiry.”
The fire initially covered approximately 200 metres by 100 metres of the nature reserve.
By 7pm, the efforts to contain the fire had been scaled down to six relief appliances, and the fire was officially stopped by 7.55pm.
In total, around 3 hectares of land has been affected by the blaze, according to Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue.
Crews returned to the scene this morning (7 July) after an inspection revealed more hotspots.
No one is reported to have been injured in the fire and police are asking anyone with information to contact them.