The wildfire that has burned across Headon Warren since Thursday morning has finally been extinguished, bringing to an end a 5-day firefighting operation involving crews from 5 fire and rescue services.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that the blaze, which started just after 09:00 on Thursday morning, has now been put out after burning around 9 hectares of land.
Firefighters will remain at the West Wight beauty spot today and tomorrow to carry out checks, monitor for any remaining hotspots and recover equipment from the scene alongside local farmers.
Members of the public are being urged to continue avoiding the area while this work is completed.
The response has involved firefighters from Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Avon, Devon & Cornwall, Dorset & Wiltshire and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Services, making it one of the largest multi-agency operations ever seen on the Isle of Wight.
Throughout the incident, specialist resources including high-volume pumps supplying water from the sea, all-terrain wildfire vehicles and a helicopter carrying out repeated water drops were deployed in an effort to contain the blaze.
The National Trust has already warned that the special landscape at Headon Warren will take time to recover following the devastation caused by the fire.
With the warm and dry weather continuing, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service is reminding residents and visitors that the risk of wildfires remains high.
The service is urging people to dispose of cigarettes safely, avoid lighting barbecues, campfires and fire pits outdoors, take all rubbish home with them and call 999 immediately if they see smoke or fire.
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