The fire broke out on Friday 12th August 2022 and has destroyed a large area of National Trust owned heathland on the Studland peninsula, which is home to some of the most rare reptiles and insects in the UK including the sand lizard. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service believe the cause of the Studland Heath fire in Dorset, which took at least 90 firefighters to control, was a campfire and barbecue that was found where the fire started.
Beaches in the area were evacuated, the Studland Ferry stopped running and many holidaymakers had a day on one the area's top beaches cut short. Smoke could be seen spreading over a large area including nearby Poole and the islands within the beautiful Poole Harbour.