Bridport Fire Station was called to people setting fire to items despite the county currently being under an Amber warning for wild fires and more than 60 firefighters tackling a heath fire in Wimborne.

A crew was called to Salway Ash this evening (Monday) just before 6.20pm where it was believed people were drinking and setting fire to items.

A spokesman for Bridport Fire Station said: "We are currently under an amber warning for wild fire risk due to the dry, windy conditions.

"Sixty firefighters are currently dealing with a heath fire near Wimborne since 4.48pm today. We don't want another incident like the major fire in Wareham Forest last year."

Residents are urged to follow these top tips while out and about:

• Don't have barbecues or campfires on the heath or in open spaces - the risk of a fire starting is too great in the current conditions
• Extinguish cigarettes properly, don't throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows - take your litter home
• If you see a fire in the countryside, call 999 and report it immediately to the fire and rescue service. Provide as much detail as possible about location and access but also make sure you are in a safe place

More than 60 firefighters are tackling a 200m x 200m heath fire at White Sheet Plantation near Wimborne.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service was called just before 5pm to the fire, which was spreading quickly due to the dry and windy conditions.

As of 8pm, there were two crews from Wimborne, one from Ferndown, two from Poole, one from Swanage, one from Verwood, one from Christchurch, one from Sturminster Newton, one from Blandford and one from Redhill Park in attendance, along with small 4x4 appliances from Wimborne, Ferndown and Ringwood, water carriers from Ringwood and Poole, a support appliance from Hamworthy and the Unimog from Wareham.

Local people are asked to avoid the area while it continues.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.