Partygoers given fire warning after forest rave

Firefighters have repeated advice against lighting campfires and barbecues after putting out a fire in a forest following an unlicensed rave.

Between 150 and 200 people attended the unauthorised party in Charmouth Forest, Dorset, on Saturday night, according to police, who were called by local residents.

The music was subsequently turned off but, shortly after noon on Sunday, emergency services received multiple calls about a fire in the area.

A small off-road appliance was deployed to locate the incident and the crew discovered partygoers sleeping and sitting around a camp fire.

Dorset Police said officers were alerted to the party near Wootton Fitzpaine just after midnight.

Residents reported about 50 vehicles and said their sleep was being disturbed by the music.

A force spokesperson said: "Officers attended and liaised with those present, ensuring the music was turned off and those in attendance have now dispersed.

"We responded swiftly to this incident to ensure it was promptly brought to a safe conclusion and no further disruption was caused."

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said Sunday's camp fire was extinguished "due to concerns about the dry conditions".

"As it was not a good idea to have a bonfire in the woods, we extinguished it and offered advice," a spokesperson said.

Since the start of 2025, the service has attended more than 400 wildfires across the two counties - many of them a result of "human intervention" - and large areas of Dorset's protected heathland have been destroyed.

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