A FIRE reignited in Puddletown Forest – as firefighters warned the public to 'enjoy the countryside responsibly'.

Crews from Wareham and Bere Regis were sent to the scene at 10.15am yesterday to dampen down an area of heath. A fire first broke out on Friday and was extinguished but reignited after deep-seated fires within the soil smouldered and rose back to the surface.

Firefighters will be attending the area again today to carry out further inspections on the land.

The fires come amid an amber wildfire alert which is still in place across Dorset due to the dry and windy conditions.

A spokesman for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said: "We’ve been called out to several fires in the open in the last 24 hours so please follow our advice if you’re out and about and help us prevent any more.

"Don’t have BBQs or campfires on the heath or in open spaces; all it takes is a single spark to catch in these conditions.

"Extinguish smoking materials properly and take your litter home.

"If you see signs of a fire in the countryside, report it immediately by calling 999 so we have the best chance of extinguishing it before it escalates.

"We’re very fortunate to have so much beautiful countryside; please help us keep it that way"