New Forest District Council, external has issued advice to those in areas that may be affected by smoke from the fire.

It says air quality assessment and monitoring "have not currently shown any noted increases in pollution levels in the area with air pollution levels rated as low".

However, monitoring stations are some distance from the fire, and changing wind conditions may affect smoke levels.

Pollution is expected to increase to moderate levels on Wednesday and Thursday due to rising temperatures.

The council says air quality will continue to be monitored and further advice will be issued if needed. If smoke is affecting you the council advises:

• Avoid smoky areas and spend less time outdoors
• Keep windows and doors closed if smoke is entering your home
• Avoid strenuous outdoor activity while smoke is present
• When driving through smoky areas, keep windows closed and use air recirculation if your vehicle has it

With temperatures in the New Forest set to rise above 30C today, one of the key thresholds of the 30-30-30 wildfire rule is expected to be met.

The rule is used by fire experts to highlight conditions linked to extreme wildfire behaviour: temperatures above 30C, humidity below 30% and winds above 30km/h (18mph).

While the temperature is likely to be reached, humidity is currently at about 69% in the area and winds are expected to stay below the threshold at around 16km/h (10mph).

That means the full 30-30-30 rule is not currently expected to be met.

Even so, the hot and dry conditions could make the wildfire more difficult to bring under control.

The forecast in Ringwood today shows temperatures are set to reach 30C.

There is no rain expected over the coming days and, according to BBC Weather forecasts, the earliest chance of rain is on Monday, when there are signs that some light showers might arrive.

It comes after we saw the driest July in both England and Wales since records began in 1836. Southern England had its driest calendar month on record.

Image source, BBC Weather

Firefighters from Hampshire and and beyond are on the frontline of the heathland fire.

These striking photos from a crew usually based in Beaminster, Dorset, show them tackling the blaze in tough conditions, surrounded by the blackened landscape.

Image source, Beaminster Fire Station

Image source, Beaminster Fire Station

Image source, Beaminster Fire Station

In a statement issued last night, the fire service says road closures will remain in place for at least the next 48 hours.

It describes the situation as "complex" and that it needs to ensure everyone is kept safe.

"National Highways teams have assessed the damage caused by the fire and significant repairs are required to the road surface, road safety barrier and boundary fencing," the statement adds.

"These repairs can only be carried out once it’s safe to do so.

"We know this may cause disruption and are grateful to the community for their patience, understanding and support."

Image source, Beaminster Fire Station

Firefighters are set to face a challenging day tackling the heathland fire, with temperatures of 30C forecast for later in the day.

In a statement, Hampshire fire service says: "Challenging terrain and limited access to the remote location continue to make firefighting operations difficult, and the high temperatures forecast for today are expected to add to those challenges."

It adds that its work overnight focused on containing the fire and managing hotspots and flare-ups.

Road closures are expected to remain in place over the coming days.

The fire service says the closures are needed to help keep everyone safe and ensure its crews and other responders can access the scene safely.

In addition, the damage to the stretch of the A31 from the fire along with its safety barrier and fencing will need to be fixed once it is safe to do so.

"We are grateful to the community for their patience, understanding and support," the fire service said.

Image source, HIWFRS

New Forest National Park Authority has thanked the huge numbers of extremely kind offers of help "in many shapes and forms".

It said right now firefighters working at the heathland fire had everything they currently needed.

It added: "Your help and support will be greatly appreciated later and we’ll keep you informed."It has urged people to:

• Please stay away from the area of the fire
• Drive carefully through the forest and watch out for the national park's animals
• Not use BBQs, campfires, stoves or any naked flame

More roads have been shut as the operation to contain the fire continues.

The closures came into effect from 18:00 BST on Tuesday and include Bolderwood Arboretum Ornamental Drive in Brockenhurst, from the A35 junction, and Bolderwood Road west of Emery Down, from the New Forest Inn junction.

All Forestry England car parks along these routes are also shut and car parks near the area of the fire remain closed until further notice.

The A31 remains closed in both directions with diversions in place.

The westbound carriageway is shut between the M27 junction 2 for Ower and the A338 at Ringwood.

The eastbound carriageway is closed between the A338 and junction 1 of the M27 at Cadnam.

Roads on the diversion routes and surrounding area are expected to be very busy - as they were on Monday and Tuesday.

Firefighters from Hampshire and beyond have spent a third night in the New Forest working to contain the fire and prevent further spread.

It now covers an area of 1.6 sq km (400 acres).

We will continue to bring you the latest updates throughout the day.

Firefighters from Hampshire and beyond have spent a third day in the New Forest trying to contain the spread of the blaze, which now covers 1.6 sq km (400 acres).

Here's a summary of Tuesday's main developments:

• The operation has faced challenges over changing winds and water supply, Hampshire's fire service has said
• People have been asked to reduce water use because of the strain on supplies
• Roads, including the A31, will remain closed until at least Thursday, according to the service
• More roads and car parks in the New Forest have been closed by Forestry England
• Some firefighters are working 10-hour shifts and are "exhausted" due to cutbacks in staff, the Fire Brigades Union has said

We're now pausing our live coverage, but we'll be back tomorrow with the latest updates.

Red Shoot Camping Park has announced that it has banned all BBQs that are not gas powered.

In a statement the team said: "Given the exceptionally dry conditions and the current fire situation, please be reminded that fires and the burning of wood are absolutely prohibited on the park at all times."

They added: "In addition, until further notice, BBQs will only be permitted if they are gas powered. We will no longer allow charcoal or other solid-fuel BBQs."

Roads, including the A31 dual carriageway, will remain shut until at least Thursday, Hampshire's fire service has said.

Posting on Facebook in the last few minutes, the service said it was preparing for a third night of firefighting.

It said: "Road closures are expected to remain in place for at least the next 48 hours while emergency services continue to respond to this complex and ongoing incident.

"Significant repairs are required to the road surface, road safety barrier and boundary fencing.

"These repairs can only be carried out once it’s safe to do so.

"We know this may cause disruption and are grateful to the community for their patience, understanding and support."

Fire stations have been sharing pictures of their crews in action.

Image source, Beaminster Fire Station

Image source, Fordingbridge Fire Station

Image source, Beaminster Fire Station

Image source, Stockbridge Fire Station

Hampshire County Council is urging residents in and around the New Forest to avoid areas affected by smoke.

In a statement the council said: "Smoke contains tiny particles and gases that can irritate your eyes, nose and throat, and may cause coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath.

"Children, older adults, pregnant women and people with existing heart or lung conditions can be more affected.

"Residents should avoid areas affected by smoke but where you have to stay in the area - and there is no risk from spreading fire - the single most effective thing you can do is stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed. This significantly reduces your exposure to smoke."

It added: "When smoke levels improve, you may wish to ventilate your home, but continue to monitor official updates and only open doors and windows when it is safe to do so"

More roads and car parks in the New Forest have been closed from 18:00 BST because of the wildfire, Forestry England has said.

The roads include Bolderwood Arboretum Ornamental Drive, a popular tourist attraction.

Bolderwood Road, west of Emery Down, is also shut, from the junction with the New Forest Inn.

A full list of the 10 car parks which are now shut is available on the Forestry England website., external

Image source, David Martin

The High Corner Inn, in the middle of the New Forest, has said it is closed until further notice.

In a statement, it said: "The safety of our guests, team members, and the wider community is our absolute priority."

The pub is not close to the wildfire but it is accessed by a single-track road, which is sometimes used by drivers avoiding the A31.

The road was snarled up with traffic on Monday and has since been closed by the highways authority.

Image source, DWFRS

Image source, DWFRS

Image source, HIWFRS

Firefighters are continuing to work around the clock in "difficult terrain and hot conditions", Hampshire's fire service has said.

The operation to contain the flames is expected to last for several more days, it added.

Image source, Burnham-on-Sea fire station

Firefighters from across the country are working to control the flames in the New Forest, Hampshire's fire service has said.

One of the crews helping out has come about 100km (62 miles) from Burnham-on-Sea, an on-call fire station in Somerset.