THE fire service is unable to attend a large fire at Salisbury Plain due to the potential risk of unexploded ordnance.

Smoke was seen billowing from Salisbury Plain yesterday (May 20) on land owned by the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said their firefighters are unable to attend the fire.

A spokesperson said: “We are aware that there is a large fire on Salisbury Plain, but we have not been required to attend as it is within the impact zone and it is not safe for firefighters to go there due to the risk of unexploded ordnance.

“The situation is being monitored by our military colleagues.”

An MOD spokesperson said: “We are aware of a fire in the Central Impact Area of Salisbury Plain Training Area. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has been informed.

“Fire can occur on the MOD training estate during dry weather. We monitor the risk of fires across the training estate throughout the year, working hard to maintain a balance between the needs of our military and the local communities in which we sit.

“We take our role in trying to prevent and control fires from our activities extremely seriously. MOD has a robust wildfire policy that restricts the use of ordnance, munitions, and explosives when training is taking place during elevated wildfire conditions.

“We use a range a measures to prevent and control range fires, including grazing programmes and fire watch schemes to ensure fires and constantly monitored.”