After Dorset’s biggest heath fire in 30 years, an urgent appeal has been launched to help restore devastated Upton Heath.

The massive wildfire two weeks ago destroyed 140 acres, around one-third of the internationally important heathland, near Poole.

Experts estimate that it will take at least 10-years for heathland to be re-established on the burnt area and many more before the full range of rare plants and animals return.

Now Dorset Wildlife Trust is seeking an immediate £35,000 which it will use as match funding, hoping to secure more than £300,000 in grants.

Immediately after the fire hundreds of local volunteers answered the call to help relocate surviving reptiles to unaffected areas of Upton Heath.

Now conservationists face the task of managing the recovery of the ecosystem for the full range of rare plants and animals.

“If action is not taken to begin the restoration of the damaged areas of the reserve and to carefully manage the re-growth of the heath, we may never see a full recovery of the many rare plants and animals it has become a haven for,” said Andy Fale, DWT warden.

“It would be a tremendous loss for wildlife now and for the future. While we will see green shoots very quickly, this will be just the start of a long road to full recovery.”

Upton Heath, which has been managed by the trust for 13 years, is an important lowland heath, one of the rarest habitats in Britain.

It is home to all six British reptiles, 19 species of dragonfly and damselfly, silver studded blue butterflies, raft spiders, rare breeding birds including Dartford warbler, nightjar and hobby, scarce plants including marsh gentian and many mammals.

The size, intensity and timing of the fire meant that many animals were burnt alive at the height of the breeding season, decimating important populations of rare animals and mammals like deer and their young.

“This fire should not be confused with controlled burning sometimes used on small areas of heathland during winter,” said Andy.

“Experts are agreed that this was nothing short of a disaster and it will take years of hard work to achieve a recovery for this precious site.

“This will cost money and time; now more than ever we need your support, so we urge you to dig deep to help the heath and the wildlife survivors of this tragic fire.”

For every £1 raised the trust hopes to raise a further £9 in grant funding.