MORE than 100 firefighters rushed to the New Forest last night to tackle a large fire and crews are continuing to battle it today.

Daily Echo:

Crews from Ringwood Station, Lyndhurst Station, Fordingbridge Station, Burley Station and Totton Station along with teams from Ferndown, Cranborne, Verwood, Westbourne, Poole, Wimborne and Christchurch were called at 5.27pm last night to the incident in the Ringwood Forest area.

Specialist vehicles and appliances from Ringwood, Lyndhurst, Fordingbridge, Burley and Totton fire stations were used. 

Daily Echo:

At the peak there were 110 firefighters in attendance at the scene and some remain there today to continue fighting the fire. 

The fire involved a large area of trees - around 200m by 200m.

Daily Echo:

Residents are reporting the smell of smoke across the area, as far as Bournemouth and Christchurch.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is advising Dorset residents to keep their doors and windows closed.

A spokesperson from Hampshire Fire and Rescue said: "Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service received a call at 17:27 regarding an incident in the Ringwood Forest area.

Daily Echo:

"The fire involved a large area of trees.

Daily Echo:

"In attendance are crews from Ringwood Station, Lyndhurst Station, Fordingbridge Station, Burley Station and Totton Station."

The fire is currently ongoing and there are still teams from Hampshire Fire and Rescue and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service tackling the blaze. A cause has yet to be established.

Updates to follow...

Pictures by Simon Rowley