Police warning as banned log fire found in New Forest

On Saturday, New Forest officers joined forces with Forestry England Ranger Charlotte to look for the fire which had been reported in the Hampshire beauty spot. 

Officers found the remnants of the fire, which they said were still 'smouldering and very hot', in the woods behind the Swan Green car park at Emery Down. 

READ MORE: Amber wildfire alert issued in New Forest

Forestry England's Fire Land Rover was called to put it out.

Forestry England rangers at the scene of the fire (Image: New Forest Heart Cops)

On Facebook, New Forest Heart Police posted: "As well as reminding people about not leaving anything valuable in their vehicles, the morning was spent looking for a fire. 

"We found it in the woods behind Swan Green car park at Emery Down. 

"It was still smouldering and very hot, so the Forestry England Fire Land Rover was called to put it out.

"These smaller fires lead to bigger and more devastating fires, so please remember and remind everyone that BBQs and fires are banned from the whole of the New Forest."

This comes after the New Forest National Park Authority issued an amber wildfire alert for the area this weekend.

At the time, a spokesman for the authority said on social media:

"Another reminder that barbecues, camping stoves, and open flames are banned in the New Forest."

The Bank Holiday weekend has seen people flocking to the national park to make the most of the glorious weather.

The Met Office forecast that there would be sunshine throughout the Bank Holiday, with highs of 22 degrees Celsius.

As part of their patrols in the forest, officers also visited a campsite in Ashurst and came across a bike found in bushes on the outskirts of the campsite.

They are looking to reunite the bike with its owner and ask that the owner contact police by calling 101. Police recover bike from campsite (Image: New Forest Heart Police)