MINISTRY of Defence officials are keeping a watch on a huge wildfire on Salisbury Plain.

The fire is believed to have started on MoD land south of Urchfont. There is not yet any information about how large an area is affected.

UPDATE: 'Unexploded shells' stop firefighters tackling blaze

A spokeswoman for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said they had been “advised” by the military of the fire within “the impact area near Urchfont”.

The service said: “There is an incident that is ongoing but we are not in attendance. It is a controlled burn. We are being kept informed.”

Pictures obtained by the Gazette & Herald show the fire from Market Lavington, with smoke over West Swindon

It comes just days after 50 firefighters from across the county tackled a huge fire on Salisbury Plain last week.

On that occasion, approximately 35 hectares of ground were extinguished using beaters and hose reel jets. 

The MoD has been contacted for comment.