Dorset heathland fires: Crews tackle blazes 'started deliberately'
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Crews from eight stations were sent to the fire at Talbot Heath, Poole shortly before 17:00 on Sunday
Five fires were started deliberately on heathland in Dorset over the weekend, the fire service has said.
Three fires were started in Poole, near the skate park in Bourne Valley Nature Reserve, in the early hours on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
A fire was found at Talbot Heath, Poole, on Sunday at about 17:00 BST, and three hours later on Turbary Common, Bournemouth.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said all were under police investigation.
The heathland at Talbot Heath following the fire
The fire service said a total of 104 firefighters from stations including Poole, Ferndown, Hamworthy and Christchurch attended the five fires "all of which are thought to have been started deliberately".
It said: "These avoidable fires can devastate our beautiful countryside and wildlife whilst also tying up many of our resources, potentially impacting our response to other emergencies."
Dorset Police said inquiries into the fires were ongoing and local officers would be conducting increased patrols at Bourne Valley Nature Reserve.
Talbot Heath is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area and is also included under the global Ramsar convention, external.
It is home to sand lizards, adders, ground-nesting birds and a diverse range of insects and spiders.
Bourne Valley includes Sites of Special Scientific Interest due to its rare heathland wildlife including dragonflies.
Turbary Common in north Bournemouth is home to all six species of British reptile and a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
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