Residents across Bracknell have reported a persistent smell of burning as smoke from a large heathland fire near the A31 is carried inland by the wind. Emergency services say there are no active fires in Bracknell itself, but the incident in the New Forest and adjacent area is clearly being detected over a wide area.
What happened and where the smoke is coming from
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has been dealing with a significant fire affecting heathland close to the A31. The blaze began after a lorry fire spread to surrounding heathland just before 17:30 BST on Sunday, prompting a large-scale response.
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service reported receiving a large number of calls from residents across Surrey and neighbouring counties who were reporting a smell of smoke. They said colleagues in Hampshire and Isle of Wight were tackling the major incident and that the current wind direction was likely to be carrying smoke into areas including Bracknell.
“We’re experiencing a large number of calls from residents who are reporting a smell of smoke in various parts of Surrey.”
Emergency response and road disruption
The fire drew a substantial firefighting effort. At the time of reporting, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said 26 fire engines had been deployed to tackle the blaze and crews had worked through the night to contain it. The A31 was closed in both directions between the A338 at Ringwood and the M27 junction 2 at Ower, with no reopening time confirmed.
Fire services across the region continue to maintain a significant presence on the ground as they work to bring the incident under control. While Bracknell has not reported any active fires related to this incident, the smell of smoke and drifting particulates remain a cause for concern for some residents, particularly those with respiratory conditions.
- Source of smoke: lorry blaze on the A31 that spread to heathland near Picket Post and Stoney Cross
- Response: 26 fire engines engaged; multi-force firefighting effort
- Local effect: smoke and burning smell detected in Bracknell and other towns
Advice for Bracknell residents
Fire services have urged caution. Practical measures recommended by the services include:
- Keep windows and doors closed while smoke is present
- Avoid strenuous outdoor exercise if you have breathing difficulties
- Be vigilant with open flames and smoking—barbecues and discarded cigarettes can start new fires
- Call 999 if you can see active flames or an immediate danger
Surrey’s statement reminded residents:
“As always, please call 999 if you can see signs of fire.”
| Detail | Current status |
|---|---|
| Primary incident | Lorry blaze spread to heathland near A31 (Picket Post / Stoney Cross) |
| Firefighting resources | 26 fire engines; multi-service attendance |
| Road closures | A31 closed between A338 (Ringwood) and M27 J2 (Ower) |
| Effect on Bracknell | Smoke smell drifting into town; no local fires reported |
For local readers, the visible effects are mainly odour and a reduced sense of air quality. Those with chronic respiratory illness, young children and older people should take sensible precautions while smoke is present. The incident serves as a reminder of how quickly fires can spread from vehicles to vulnerable open countryside during dry or windy conditions.
WE NEWS will continue to monitor messages from Hampshire, Surrey and Royal Berkshire fire and rescue services and will update readers if the situation changes or if there are local air-quality advisories affecting Bracknell.
