More than 120 firefighters are continuing to tackle a “devastating” fire on internationally protected heathland in the New Forest National Park, which is “rarer than rainforests”.

The fire started after a van caught fire on the nearby A31 near Ringwood on Sunday, and spread to protected heathland which is home to a number of rare species, according to the New Forest National Park Authority.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, assisted by neighbouring services, initially deployed 26 fire engines and four water carriers to the eastbound A31 after receiving 160 emergency calls reporting that an HGV had caught fire.

It said the fire spread from the vehicle to the central reservation before progressing into nearby heathland in a south-easterly direction, and is in a “challenging rural location”.

The service warned locals and tourists to avoid the area while firefighters “work to save this part of our beautiful countryside”.

On Monday afternoon, the service was using drones to monitor the spread of the fire – with 10 fire engines and 13 off-road vehicles still involved in the operation,

A spokesperson said: “There are more than 120 firefighters on the scene battling the heat and arduous terrain, in order to prevent further fire spread.

“We are monitoring the fire, which is affecting a one square kilometre area of heathland off the A31, with police drones.

“Currently, we have 10 fire engines and 13 off-road vehicles in attendance, and we plan to maintain this number of vehicles until at least midnight, although it is likely to be required for longer.”

The fire service has warned people living nearby that it may need to lay hoses across their property as it draws water from a nearby lake.

Sue Bassett, a worker at a Shell garage at services on the A31 near to where the fire started, said: “It’s almost scary with the rivers running low on water; it’s a challenge.”

‘Devastating’ loss of rare species

Lead ranger Gillie Molland warned that some rare heathland species may be lost altogether: “Globally, heathland is more rare than rainforest and takes decades to develop – the New Forest has the most extensive area of lowland heath remaining in Europe.

“It’s home to many nationally and internationally rare species – including all six of the UK’s reptiles, insects, plants and birds such as Dartford warblers and nightjar.

“The loss of rare species and biodiversity is devastating and upsets the delicate ecological balance of the Forest, as well as reducing grazing land available for commoners’ animals.”

Forestry England said in a statement that it was supporting the emergency services tackling the fire, which it said had spread to Bratley Wood and the surrounding area, which includes a Canadian war memorial.

“Incidents like this can be devastating to all of the things that make the New Forest so special,” it said.

“Our team will be carefully assessing the impact once the incident is fully resolved.”

A Hampshire Constabulary spokeswoman said that 23 vehicles were left behind by motorists on Sunday, which were moved by police, with the owners asked to call 101 to be reunited with their vehicles.

A National Highways spokesperson said it was appraising the road and that it would require emergency repairs when safe to do so: “There is significant damage to the road surface, road safety barrier and boundary fencing as a result of the fire and a subsequent oil spillage from the burnt-out vehicle.”

Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident on Sunday as two large fires in woodland put a strain on resources, with several wildfires breaking out in the UK in recent weeks.