Monitoring of Holt Heath recovery after last year’s wildfire to offer lessons for heathlands nationwide

The blaze burnt around 72 hectares (177 acres) - or over 100 football pitches - of nationally important heathland habitat and remains one of the most significant wildfire incidents experienced in the area in recent decades. And, despite some level of recovery across around 30% of the site, a significant area is yet to show any sign of recovery – still charred and scarred earth - highlighting the devastating impacts fire can have on our landscapes and wildlife.

The on-going heat and dry conditions are also hampering its recovery and last week the Environment Agency declared half of England and all of Wales to be officially in drought conditions.

Over the past year, conservation teams have monitored the heath to understand how the landscape would respond naturally before making decisions about future restoration. This data will also help inform the recovery of other similar landscapes devastated by fire – including Dunwich Heath – where 104 hectares of lowland heath was lost in a major fire last week.

While pockets of heather, gorse and grasses have begun to return around the edges of the fire scar and in wetter areas where the blaze burned less intensely, much of the affected heath remains bare. In the hardest-hit areas, the fire burned through the fragile surface layer of soil, leaving extensive areas of exposed sand vulnerable to erosion.

The heathland is home to all six of the UK’s reptile species, including the rarest; sand lizards and smooth snakes impacted by the fire. Bird species have also suffered due to the blaze, including the Dartford warbler and stone chat. Despite the devastation, some species are still present with nightjars being spotted 'churring' (making their distinctive mating call) in the area. Some species have also benefited from the newly exposed habitat, including solitary wasps and specialist beetles that thrive on open sandy ground.

Ellie Egan, Countryside Manager for the National Trust at Holt Heath and the Kingston Lacy Estate, said: "A year on, we have a much clearer picture of the wildfire's impact. While some areas are beginning to recover naturally, the damage was far more severe in places than we would typically expect, and parts of the heath still look very much like a ‘moonscape’ and these will require careful, long-term management if they are to recover successfully.

“The heatwave and dry conditions we’re experiencing this year are also making the heathland’s recovery even more difficult as new growth will struggle without rain for long periods.

"Our priority now is to better understand the condition of the site so that we can make informed decisions about any future restoration guided by robust evidence. This will give this important landscape and others like it the best possible chance of thriving again to ensure we manage the area to help it cope as best it can with the likely future climate.”

Next steps include a feasibility study which will see specialist soil scientists and ecological experts assess the condition of the site and map the extent of damage across the entire affected area. The work will provide a detailed understanding of how the wildfire altered the heathland soils and identify areas most vulnerable to further deterioration, including the loss of exposed sand through erosion. Future restoration work may include efforts to stabilise the sand and encourage formation of the topsoil layer by adding appropriate organic matter. Teams will then look to re-establish heathland plants by planting seeds or plugs.

Ben McCarthy, the National Trust’s Head of Nature Conservation, said: “Holt Heath's recovery will be a long-term process, but the work underway will help ensure decisions are based on a detailed understanding of the site and what it needs. By working with Natural England and specialist advisors, we can develop a recovery programme that gives internationally important heathland the best possible chance of thriving again in the future."

The resulting recovery plan is expected to take a phased approach over a number of years, reflecting the scale and complexity of the damage.

Subject to funding, more active restoration work could begin from 2027.

At Holt Heath, National Trust teams are also working with Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service in partnership with land managers and local organisations such as the Dorset Heaths Partnership to raise awareness of steps the public can take to reduce the risk of wildfires.

Ben added: “There are simple steps we can all take to help reduce the risk of wildfires, such as taking litter home with you after a day out and to avoid using disposable BBQs in parks in open spaces. With those caring for the land, fire services and the public working together, we can help to protect the special landscapes we all love.”