A survey by Forestry England has revealed extensive damage to the New Forest following a wildfire that broke out on 9 August, with ancient oak and beech trees, rare heathland and wetland areas all devastated. The government agency warned it could take decades for the environment to fully recover, highlighting the severity of an incident that began when a van caught fire on the A31 dual carriageway.

More than 1 sq km (247 acres) of the national park has been destroyed, with inspectors finding areas stripped of vegetation, dead wildlife and scorched bogs. Several centuries-old trees were lost after the fire burned into their root systems, while rare wetland plant pillwort was among the vegetation destroyed. A rescue mission found some surviving reptiles and amphibians, including a sand lizard, which were relocated, and recovery efforts will draw on lessons from a 2020 heathland fire in Wareham, Dorset, using heather cuttings to protect the soil. The A31 through the forest remains closed for repairs and is not expected to reopen before the weekend.