Fire in Salisbury Plain military zone left to burn due to unexploded ordnance risk

A fire on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire has been left to burn out naturally after the Ministry of Defence confirmed that emergency services cannot safely enter the area due to the risk of unexploded ordnance.

The blaze was first reported on Wednesday in a designated military training area. Smoke was seen rising from the site, but fire crews were told not to attend because the incident is within a live firing zone known as a Range Danger Area.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation, which manages the military estate, said the fire started accidentally and was quickly contained within the training zone. It added that all live firing activity in the area was immediately suspended once the fire was discovered.

Officials explained that the decision not to intervene is based on safety concerns. Salisbury Plain is regularly used for live ammunition training, and unexploded devices may remain in the ground, making it too dangerous for firefighters to enter.

The MoD said the area is designed with fire risk in mind, with stone tracks and natural breaks intended to limit the spread of flames. However, once a fire starts within the restricted zone, it is often safer to allow it to burn out rather than risk human life.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it was informed of the incident but said it cannot attend the site and that the situation is being managed by the military. Residents nearby were advised to keep windows and doors closed if affected by smoke.

Wildfires linked to military training areas are not uncommon, particularly during dry weather conditions. According to previously released data, more than a thousand wildfires have been associated with Ministry of Defence sites across the UK in recent years.

Salisbury Plain has seen similar incidents before, including a major fire last year linked to live firing exercises. The scale of training activity, combined with dry conditions, can increase the risk of accidental ignition.

The MoD said it works closely with emergency services and local authorities to monitor incidents and ensure public safety. It also reminded the public that access restrictions and warning systems, including red flags and lights, are in place to prevent people from entering dangerous areas.