New Forest fire that spread from van now size of 140 football pitches

Fire leaves park authority ‘devastated’published at 12:03 BST

12:03 BST

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Listen: BBC Radio Solent has been providing the latest on the fire

The fire has raised concerns about its potential impact on the New Forest’s fragile ecosystem.

A spokeswoman for the New Forest National Park Authority says: “It’s rare heathland, which globally is more rare than rainforest with lots of rare species.

“We have the highest concentration of lowland heathland in western Europe and it’s internationally protected.

“It is home to all six UK native reptiles, Dartford warblers, nightjars, insects – it’s devastating.”

The spokeswoman added that it was too early to tell how much damage had been caused, with the response to the fire still ongoing.