MINISTRY of Defence chiefs have apologised for a series of wildfires caused by British Army training manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain.

The smoke from the wildfires has inconvenienced thousands of residents who are having to keep their windows and doors closed during the scorching hot weather to avoid breathing in toxic fumes.

MoD spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Julian Smith said: “We apologise to the local community affected by the smoke. People are advised to stay indoors and shut all windows.”

A number of small fires that started on Monday (July 11) have merged to become two large fires, one near Enford and one near Urchfont.

The wildfires were started by firing during vital Pre-Deployment Training being undertaken by a British Army unit.

They are contained within the controlled impact area of the Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA), so many locations are unsafe to enter.

Previously, the MoD refused to let Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service firefighters tackle the wildfires because of the danger of unexploded ordnance shells.

But firefighters are now supporting soldiers from the Second Parachute Regiment and the Royal Artillery in damping down the wildfires.

The MoD said: “Due to the hard work of Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and military personnel, supported by firefighters from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service last night and this afternoon, the fire near Enford is almost extinguished, with damping down continuing.”

The larger fire near Urchfont is affecting an area of approximately 1,500 metres by 5,000m (around 750 hectares).

It is still well alight but Defence Infrastructure Organisation and military personnel and DWFRS firefighters are on the scene and have prevented it from spreading further.

The incident remains under the management of the DIO and DWFRS is liaising closely with them to provide support where it is safe to do so.

The MoD added: “The fires are contained within the Range Danger Area or impact area – the part of the training area which ordnance is fired at and which is out of bounds to the public.

“Due to the risk of unexploded ordnance, firefighters or MOD personnel cannot enter the affected area as it is unsafe to do so. 

“All live firing into SPTA Controlled Impact Area has been suspended whilst the fire continues to burn.

“The MOD will continue to monitor the situation. Only once the fire has ‘burnt out’ will any consideration be given to permitting training to continue.”