A31 Closure Update: Is the Road Still Closed After New Forest Fire Near Ringwood?

A VAN fire broke out on Sunday evening and spread into the New Forest, causing significant disruption to a major road.

The blaze meant that the in both directions – here’s everything you need to know about the latest.

The fire on the A31 brought traffic to a standstill Credit: Nenad Žilić Fire crews were battling the blaze overnight Credit: New Forest Police

Is the A31 still closed?

The A31 remains closed in both directions on Tuesday morning, with drivers facing lengthy diversions and delays.

National Highways said: “Teams have assessed the damage caused by the fire and significant repairs are required to the road surface, road safety barrier and boundary fencing. These repairs can only be carried out once it’s safe to do so.”

The westbound carriageway is closed between M27 junction 2 at Ower and the A338 at Ringwood.

Eastbound traffic can’t use the stretch between the A338 and M27 junction 1 at Cadnam.

National Highways described the fire as a “major incident” after it moved beyond the vehicle and into surrounding land.

Its contractors remain at the scene alongside emergency services.

Bournemouth Airport has told travellers to allow extra time to reach the airport, with the A31 a key route in.

Drivers have been warned to avoid the area, follow the official diversion and allow extra time for their journeys.

Car parks near the fire are unlikely to reopen this week, including Bratley View, the Canadian Memorial and Bolderwood.

Anyone with questions can call the National Highways 24/7 contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

What caused the New Forest fire near Ringwood?

Hampshire and Fire and Rescue Service received more than 160 emergency calls at around 5.24pm on Sunday, August 9, reporting a vehicle fire on the eastbound A31.

The flames spread to the central reservation before reaching nearby heathland.

Crews from across were sent to the scene, supported by firefighters from and .

The response included 26 fire engines, four water carriers, six off-road vehicles and multiple command vehicles.

Firefighters continued tackling the blaze throughout the night and warned they would maintain a significant presence in the area for the “foreseeable future”.

The fire service said countryside fires can be particularly challenging, especially when crews need to secure sufficient water for the incident.

It has set up a five-mile pipeline to draw water from Hightown Lake in Ringwood, capable of pumping around 1,300 litres a minute.

No properties currently need to be evacuated, although the fire service said households would be contacted if that changed.

The fire service said: “Please follow diversion signs, allow extra time for your journey and avoid the area to allow emergency crews to work safely.”

A firefighter was also overheard telling a officer: “We want all the cars and people off the carriageway. Unattended cars are basically bombs when they go off.”

Hampshire Constabulary said 23 vehicles had to be abandoned by motorists on Sunday.

Police moved them, and owners have been asked to call 101 to be reunited with their motors.

How big is the New Forest fire?

Deputy chief fire officer Shantha Dickinson told Radio 4’s Today programme on Tuesday: “Our firefighters and all of our emergency responders have been working in incredibly difficult conditions actually for the last 36 hours since the event started on Sunday evening due to a van fire. And we’re likely to be there for some time to come.”

She added: “It currently covers an area of about a kilometre square. So just to put that into perspective, that’s about 140 football fields, so rolling heathland of beautiful countryside.”

In a 6am update on Tuesday, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crews have worked tirelessly throughout the night, a change in wind direction provided a challenge to the firefighting operations but thanks to the efforts of firefighters we are managing to contain the fire.

“We have been using a mix of fire engines and off-road vehicles to damp down and cool the edges of the area involved in the fire to prevent spread and escalation.

“The police drone is being used to enable us to prioritise hot spot areas and manage flare-ups.”

Overnight numbers were scaled back to seven fire engines and support vehicles, with a “large-scale attack” planned for Tuesday.

What is the A31 diversion route?

National Highways has urged drivers not to follow their satnavs and to use the official local diversion instead.

It has also asked motorists to stick to speed limits on local roads and watch out for the New Forest’s livestock, which roams freely.

Westbound motorists should leave the at junction 2 (Ower Interchange) and use the A326 and A35 through Ashurst, Lyndhurst, Allum Green, Hinton Admiral and Christchurch.

At the Iford roundabout they should take the third exit onto the A3060, then the third exit at the Cooper Dean roundabout onto the A338, travelling north to rejoin the A31 at Ashley Heath.

Eastbound drivers should leave the A31 at the Ashley Heath roundabout onto the A338 and continue south towards Bournemouth.

At the Cooper Dean roundabout they should take the first exit onto the A3060, then the first exit at the Iford roundabout onto the A35 through Christchurch, Hinton Admiral, Allum Green, Lyndhurst and Ashurst, before heading north on the A326 to rejoin the M27 at junction 2.

With in force across most of England and temperatures forecast to reach the mid-30s later this week, National Highways is advising drivers to allow extra time, make sure they have enough fuel, and carry extra water and any essential medicines.

With firefighting and road repairs both continuing, anyone travelling between , the , and Bournemouth should prepare for disruption.