What we saw at Canford Heath after huge heath fire

Volunteers taking part in the painstaking recovery have been covering the ground searching for signs of surviving wildlife following the huge fire on Saturday.

A large portion of rare and protected wildlife and animals have been wiped out in the fire which tore through an area covering 41 acres – the equivalent to 23 football pitches.

One of the snakes which sadly perished in the fire

Dead reptiles including the rare smooth snake, slow worms and frogs have all been picked up by a team of wardens with buckets, there to remove what has died, but also to find animals that have survived but need attention.

Read more: Experts say Canford Heath could take 15 years to restore

Although the fire has been extinguished, the heathland has been left blackened and flat, with the odd solitary tree still standing.

Gorse which previously festooned the heathland in bright yellow has all gone. All that remains are burnt stems and roots.

Birds have been seen flying around the heathland, confused as they look for where their nests should be.

A view of the devastation. Picture from Matt Hicks

In the air, there is still a distinct smell of smoke filling the charred land.

Councilor Mark Anderson, BCP’s portfolio holder for the environment, told the Daily Echo: “The rangers have said that now the heath has burnt down and the gorse has gone, they have now got an open canvas here to start to build some nesting sites for birds, adders and other reptiles.

Read more: Bird of prey on brink of returning to area after two centuries

"It will take a couple of years but hopefully we will get something better coming back here.

“The heaths will now have to be managed, rather than allowed to grow organically.

Charred land at Canford Heath

"It’s a huge area, and obviously it will have short-term issues for the environment, but my main concern is for the wildlife.

"There are birds, bees and butterflies and lots of other insects that together make up ecology – not just the foxes and badgers, but all the insects.”

Rangers believe it could take up to 15 years for the heath to return to its former glory.

Their main priority now is to provide a home for the wildlife to come back to.