THE cause of a large heath fire on the weekend is "suspicious" and is being "treated as deliberate", the fire service has confirmed.

Seven crews were called at 12.51pm on Sunday to a blaze in heathland and undergrowth at Blacknoll Hill in the Winfrith Newburgh area.

A Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson, providing an update, said: "We were called to Winfrith Newburgh for a fire involving approximately 60m x 30m of heath and undergrowth.

"Crews attended from Wareham, Dorchester, Poole and Weymouth, together with small 4x4 pumping appliances from Bere Regis, Poole, Hamworthy and Swanage, water carriers from Poole and Bridport, and the Unimog (off-road appliance) from Wareham; approximately 30 firefighters.

"Multiple main jets and hose reel jets were used to fight the fire, and the stop message (situation contained and no further assistance is required) was at 2.30pm. We maintained an attendance on site until shortly after 5pm, although there were re-inspections (on Sunday night and Monday morning) to deal with any hotspots. Another inspection was due to be made on Monday afternoon.

"The cause of the fire is suspicious, and it is being treated as deliberate, with investigations ongoing."

The incident is the latest heath fire to affect Dorset. As reported, with heathland and forest fires becoming more common in the county, partnerships are being made to raise awareness of wildfires during the soaring summer temperatures.

Large banners have been put up reminding everyone of the risks, reminding all visitors that campfires and barbecues are not allowed on heathland sites.

Speaking previously, Paul Attwell, Team Manager at Urban Heaths Partnership said: “Heathland fires are devastating to people, wildlife and property, and working in partnership we are trying to reduce the number and size of such incidents, but we won’t succeed without the help of everyone who visits these sites."

The warnings come at a time when Dorchester Fire Station reported responding to 26 incidents in a single week.

Firefighters tackled several large blazes last week including a motorhome fire at a petrol station in Weymouth, a farm fire in Osmington as well as four road traffic accidents.

Throughout the month of July, crews from Dorchester Fire Station were dispatched to 68 call-outs.