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Large smoke plumes from Salisbury Plain fire

The smoke from the Salisbury Plain fire is visible from several miles away

A fire has broken out on Salisbury Plain after a live firing exercise on land owned by the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Large plumes of smoke are visible from the fire, on an area of the plain known as the Central Impact Area, to the east of Warminster.

The MOD confirmed the fire had been reported to Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

"We monitor the risk of fires across the training estate throughout the year, working hard to maintain a balance between the needs of our military training audience and the local communities in which we sit," a spokesperson said.

A red metal gate looking down a countryside track with large fields down either side and a large plume of smoke in the distance. Sign reads 'Danger impact area closed due to range fires'
The military uses Salisbury Plain as a training area

"We take our role in trying to prevent and control fires from our activities extremely seriously. The MOD has a robust wildfire policy that restricts the use of ordnance, munitions, and explosives when training is taking place during elevated wildfire conditions," they added.

"We use a range of measures to prevent and control range fires, including grazing programmes and fire watch schemes to ensure fires are constantly monitored."

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