Emergency crews spent Wednesday and Thursday tackling a significant heathland fire that broke out near Norris Hill Road in Fleet. The blaze, which started at approximately 10:20am on 6 May 2026, destroyed about three hectares of grass, gorse, and surrounding heathland.
More than 40 firefighters from the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service, supported by the Surrey Fire & Rescue Service, worked to bring the fire under control. Crews from several local stations, including Rushmoor, Portchester, Fleet, Basingstoke, Odiham, and Alton, attended the scene. During the emergency response, local police closed Norris Hill Road and nearby routes to allow for access.
Firefighters successfully surrounded the flames by 3:30pm on Wednesday and issued a formal stop message at 6:20pm. While the main fire was extinguished, a crew from Rushmoor returned overnight to carry out a reinspection and discovered signs of smouldering, conducting damping-down operations. A further inspection was carried out on the morning of 7 May as a precaution.
The incident comes as Natural England has classified Hampshire heaths as having a high severity fire risk. Following the blaze, the fire service is urging residents to take extra care when visiting the countryside, especially during dry conditions. Officials have reminded the public to avoid using disposable barbecues, refrain from lighting open fires, and properly dispose of smoking materials to help prevent future incidents.
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