Dartmoor wildfire destroys acres of moorland in one of Devon’s largest blazes on record

A massive wildfire has scorched acres of moorland in Dartmoor, devastating a large swathe of protected natural landscape and triggering one of the most significant fire emergencies in Devon’s recent history.

The blaze erupted around 2:25pm on Sunday, prompting a large-scale response from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, supported by Dartmoor Rangers, local farmers, and Commoners. The inferno raged for nearly 24 hours before it was brought under control on Monday evening.

The wildfire, centred around Merrivale and Okehampton, prompted emergency alerts urging the public to avoid the area due to "unpredictable" fire behaviour, driven by dry conditions and shifting winds. Officials said moderate winds caused the fire to spread at a rate of a metre per minute, with the blaze spanning up to 3.7 miles in width by Sunday night.

The disaster unfolded amid record-breaking early May temperatures, including 29.3°C registered at Kew Gardens last Thursday. Experts believe the unseasonably hot and dry weather has heightened the risk of wildfires across the UK. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) reported 439 wildfires so far in 2025—up dramatically from just 44 in the same period last year.

“This is a reminder that Dartmoor is highly vulnerable in dry weather,” Dartmoor National Park officials warned, urging the public not to light BBQs or open fires in the moorland.

Eighteen fire stations were dispatched to tackle the flames using specialist equipment, including five Argo Cat vehicles, fogging units, leaf blowers, and drones for aerial assessment. Crews maintained a strategic “watching brief” overnight at key points across the moor.

Area Manager Simon Young of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service described the challenges:

“Wildfires are always difficult to access with standard fire appliances. The terrain makes it hard, but our specialist vehicles are designed to reach and fight fires in remote areas.”

Firefighters were joined by Dartmoor National Park Authority teams and local volunteers, who provided logistical support and helped relay information from remote areas. One resident near Cut Hill and Flat Tor reported flames visible from miles away and said fire crews estimated the blaze was nearly four miles wide by nightfall.

Drone footage shared on Monday morning showed vast areas of charred heathland, with plumes of smoke still rising across Dartmoor. Fire officials warned the risk remains high, with an Amber wildfire alert in place nationally for several more days.

The fire is among the largest wildfires Dartmoor has seen, sparking renewed calls for public vigilance and stricter enforcement of fire bans in moorland areas during dry spells.

The Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has asked residents and visitors to stay away from the affected areas as teams continue monitoring hotspots. Investigations into the cause of the fire are expected in the coming days.

For now, authorities urge anyone visiting Dartmoor to stay informed via local alerts and avoid any activities that could pose a fire risk.