A CAR which broke out into flames near the airport has progressed into a heath blaze, following a spate of fires in the area.
On August 17, witnesses began to see a large cloud of thick smoke over the A338, heading towards Bournemouth.
READ MORE: LIVE: Emergency services at scene of large fire near airport
Near the quarry, a car had burst into flames and emergency services arrived on the scene to tackle the blaze.
A car burst into flames off the A338 (Image: Michael White) A spokesperson from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has said: “We were called to the A338 southbound at 1.34pm today (August 17) for a car fire that had spread to an area of adjacent heath.
“Due to the conditions, the fire has now spread to two areas of heath off the northbound carriageway.
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“We have crews on scene from Springbourne, Wareham, Lymington, Christchurch, Poole, Redhill Park and Ferndown, together with water carriers from Ringwood and Poole.
“Dorset Police have closed both carriageways while firefighters tackle the blaze.”
A total of 10 fires have been reported across heaths in the Matchams Lane area from Friday, June 20 to Monday, August 11, with this being another. The 10 before have been said to have been started deliberately, but it is unknown how the car fire came about.
Dorset Police has said: “We received a report at 2.31pm of a vehicle fire which had spread to gorse on the A338 Wessex Way.
“Officers are in attendance to assist the fire service and road closures are in place.
“No injuries are reported.”
Firefighters successfully tackled a huge blaze in Holt Heath after almost one week on the scene just last week.
It broke out on August 9, and a major incident was declared due to the incident’s scale and severity. 
By August 10, 69 hectares of land had been affected by the fire, and by August 14, this figure stretched to 72.
Crews from 14 fire stations across the country flocked to the scene to assist in the major incident, including teams from: Devon and Somerset, Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Norfolk and Surrey. 
A stop was confirmed on Friday, August 15.
Before this, it was confirmed on August 13 that a deliberate fire at Newton Heath, started over ten days prior and attended by 36 fire stations, had been extinguished.
It affected 25 hectares of heathland.
Prior to the fire on August 17, detective inspector Leo Glendon, of BCP CID, said: “Thankfully, nobody has been injured during these fires, but this reckless behaviour can have serious and tragic consequences.
“A detailed investigation is underway to identify who is responsible.
“I am appealing to anyone who has seen or heard any suspicious activity in the area over recent months to please come forward.
“Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team can be approached by anyone with information or concerns.”
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