'Adrenaline got us through New Forest wildfire'

Retained firefighter Matt O Hare recalls the apocalyptic scene that greeted him during the devastating wildfire in the New Forest on 9 August. Fire had spread from a van blaze on the A31, destroying ancient oak and beech trees, rare heathland, and wildlife across more than 100 hectares. As O Hare and his crewmates from Fordingbridge Fire Station ventured into the New Forest, they were confronted with a massive smoke plume and stopped vehicles on the A31.

Their initial challenge was navigating through the throngs of people standing in the road, all trying to reach the incident. As the wind rapidly spread the flames, O Hare and his colleagues faced the daunting question of how they could stop the fire. Senior officers guided them on where to go, and they focused on tackling the fire in the area assigned to them.

A major incident was declared, and fire crews from neighboring counties and beyond joined the operation. At the peak of the incident, around 130 firefighters were on the scene, working in extreme heat. It took two weeks for the last crews to leave the scene. Retained firefighters often have other jobs to maintain alongside their firefighting duties.

O Hare, for instance, juggled 10-to-12-hour shifts on the A31, early morning homecoming, and work from 08:00 to 18:00 at his manufacturing job. However, everyone perseveres because they deeply love their work.

Watch manager at Fordingbridge Fire Station, Shaun Lincoln, 59, shared that this was the largest fire he had encountered in his 21-year firefighting career. The fire was exceptionally tiring, and he attributed his and his team's endurance to adrenaline and community spirit. The New Forest holds personal significance for Lincoln and his crew, who felt compelled to respond to the call.

They displayed thank you cards on their fire station's front door, acknowledging the community's gratitude. Lincoln described the support as a valuable energy boost for the firefighters returning from long shifts, with clapping, hampers, cakes, and hydration drinks offered. Lincoln was deeply proud of the team's unwavering dedication, stating that everyone worked tirelessly from the first day to the last.