Restoration work has begun on the New Forest after a wildfire destroyed more than one square kilometre of the national park on 9 August. Specialist teams are using techniques deployed after a 1989 blaze to help the landscape recover.
Fire Devastates Ancient Woodland
The wildfire, which broke out in August, destroyed more than 80 hectares of rare heathland. It also damaged ancient woodland, including beech and oak trees that have stood for centuries. A surface layer of peat was burned, reducing the area’s ability to store carbon.
At its height, the fire closed the A31. This major tourist and commuter route between Hampshire and Dorset was shut for nearly two weeks. The fire service’s estimated cost for dealing with the blaze was £600,000.
Forestry England’s Dave Morris, open habitats manager, described the scene immediately after the fire. The scene immediately after the fire had gone through this part of the forest is something I will never forget. Large areas were reduced to piles of charcoal, burnt soils and torched trees. At that time, it was difficult to imagine it would ever fully return to a place where nature could thrive.
Harvesting Seeds to Restore Land
The primary method being used involves harvesting heather full of seed from nearby parts of the forest. Teams are spreading it across the worst-affected parts of the fire site. This forms a protective mat
intended to stabilise the soil through winter and encourage new plant growth in the spring.
This exact technique was successfully employed by Forestry England after a wildfire destroyed part of the New Forest in 1989. Almost 40 years later, this area is now thriving and has been fully restored,
the agency said.
Checking on Damaged Trees
Teams are closely monitoring the ancient beech and oak trees that were exposed by the fire. Their root systems are now at greater risk of damage and infection. Forestry England will assess their health in the spring, based on their ability to produce leaves and new growth.
Boggy areas of the forest proved more resilient to the fire. They slowed its spread and showed early signs of natural recovery. The fire has reminded us that nature is remarkably resilient and in the boggy parts of the fire area we can already see plants and wildlife returning,
Mr Morris noted.
Forestry England has spent the past 15 years restoring wetlands across the New Forest. This work helps the landscape hold water during drought. The work will be expanded to make the forest more resilient to future wildfires and extreme weather events.
It will take many decades for the area burnt by the fire to recover completely,
Mr Morris added. but with the right help, at the right time, we can give it the helping hand it needs.
The restoration is described as a long-term project. Forestry England has not announced a date for completion.
