About 130 firefighters are continuing to tackle a wildfire in the New Forest, Hampshire, which started on Sunday
Temperatures are forecast to reach 31C as crews work to contain the blaze for a fifth day
The A31 will be closed until at least Thursday 20 August, National Highways say
An area the size of about 230 football pitches has been affected, authorities say
The fire service says the perimeter of the blaze is under control
Drivers on surrounding roads are being warned to be careful as smoke continues to rise from the ground
The blaze began when a van caught fire on the A31 on Sunday and 23 drivers had to abandon their vehicles as the fire took hold
A31 dual carriageway to remain closed for at least a week due to the New Forest wildfires
Reporter Tristan Pascoe told BBC South Today presenter Sarah Farmer that A31 dual carriageway through the New Forest in Hampshire will not reopen for at least a week.
Forestry England is calling for more than 100 independent camping businesses to follow its lead and ban campfires, BBQs and firepits on their sites in the New Forest.
A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is already in place to ban the lighting of fires of any type including any outdoor cooking facilities and equipment, as well as placing, throwing or dropping items likely to cause a fire in the open.
Firefighters have been on the scene since Sunday.
The A31 is set to stay closed for at least another week.
In its latest update, National Highways says information from the scene indicates the major route through the New Forest will have to be shut until "at least Thursday 20 August".
It says repairs needed following the initial van fire include replacing fencing, barriers and resurfacing the road.
The westbound carriageway is shut between the M27 junction 2 at Ower and the A338 at Ringwood. The eastbound carriageway is closed between the A338 and junction 1 of the M27 at Cadnam.
Road users are advised to follow the signed diversion route and ignore sat navs, which are sometimes directing motorists to use unsuitable country lanes.
Image source, HIFRSThe New Forest National Park Authority has backed Forestry England's ban on BBQs and outdoor cooking equipment at its New Forest campsites during the current wildfire and red wildfire alert.
Forestry England has introduced the temporary ban across its 10 Camping in the New Forest sites to reduce the risk of further fires.
The authority is also urging independent campsite operators to prohibit campfires, BBQs and firepits.
It says it has contacted more than 100 campsites across the area asking them to adopt the same restrictions.
Our helicopter has captured images of the charred landscape left by the fire.
The A31 is usually used by thousands of motorists every day - and the date it will reopen is being searched heavily online.
But there simply isn't an answer yet, with 130 firefighters on the scene still trying to contain the wildfire nearby.
Work on the repairs will not be possible until it is safe.
An episode of BBC Radio Solent's Need to Know has been looking more closely at what we know so far.
Listen: BBC Radio Solent's Need to Know programme speculates on when the A31 might reopen
New Forest District Council is urging people to continue to avoid the area near the fire.
"Please consider if your journey is necessary," it says in its latest statement.
"If you do need to travel, please plan ahead, allow extra time for your journey, and follow the latest diversion information from National Highways."
It says drivers are also reminded to stick to speed limits and to be aware of the forest's free-roaming animals.
"There is currently no need for residents to evacuate their homes," it adds. "If this changes, affected households will be contacted directly."
Image source, Beaminster Fire StationThe blaze remains "contained in terms of size" after crews worked through a fourth consecutive night, the fire service says in its latest update.
A spokesperson has just told the BBC that about 130 firefighters are currently at the scene, supported by 15 fire engines, nine specialist off-road vehicles and four water carriers.
The wildfire near Ringwood has affected an area equivalent to about 230 football pitches.
The fire service says it is still using a range of techniques to create fire breaks to stop the flames spreading further.
Specialist teams are purposefully burning away strips of heathland in a controlled way to remove trees and plants that could fuel the blaze.
It adds that other methods being used include cutting down trees and clearing undergrowth.
Image source, HIWFRSThe fire service has issued an update in the last few minutes saying firefighters "continue to make good progress" at the vast fire.
It says the wind is "blowing smoke from the fire into the direction of Roger Penny Way, so we ask that you drive with caution in that particular area".
It adds that crews are expected to be at the scene for "the next few days, with the A31 remaining closed".
Residents are being asked for patience as there could be some disruption to waste collections due to the A31 closure.
New Forest District Council says it expects the majority of collections to be made but the road closure and heavy traffic has been affecting collection routes.
The council says its teams are working hard to keep things running and if one is missed, they will return to collect it where possible.
Residents whose bin has been missed are asked to report it, external so arrangements can be made for a return visit.
Image source, New Forest - Forestry EnglandForestry England has reminded people to stay away from the affected area as they shared a photo of the charred landscape.
Along with the A31 closure, a number of additional roads remain shut.
These include Bolderwood Arboretum Ornamental Drive in Brockenhurst from the junction with the A35, and the Bolderwood Road west of Emery Down, where the road will be closed from the junction with the New Forest Inn.
All Forestry England car parks along the routes are also shut.
National Highways says it teams are on standby to repair the A31 near Ringwood following the fire.
It says repairs can only begin once Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service confirms it is safe to access the road.
However, due to smoke, heat, ash and the fire’s ongoing movement safe access isn’t yet possible.
It says access to the road is not expected "until Friday at the earliest".
Thousands of vehicles travel daily along the New Forest stretch of the A31.
It is usually a key route linking commuters between east Dorset towns such as Poole and Bournemouth with Southampton.
A journey from Poole into central Southampton that would normally take just under an hour is currently taking more than 90 minutes.
But drivers are being urged to follow official diversion routes rather than relying solely on sat navs while the key route remains shut.
Local residents say navigation apps are sometimes directing traffic onto narrow country lanes ill-suited to heavy volumes of vehicles.
Some have also raised concerns about the impact of increased traffic on the welfare of animals that roam freely in the forest.
Temperatures are set to get hotter today with 31C forecast in the area where crews are working.
No rain is expected in the coming days in the area of the fire, with the earliest chance of showers on Monday, according to BBC Weather.
Amber heat health alerts,, external which warn of significant impacts to health and social care services, are already in force for all of England until 21:00 BST on Friday.
Roads are getting busy on diversion routes around the closed A31 as rush hour begins.
Both main alternatives, the A35 and the A338/M27, are experiencing longer journey times in both directions.
The A31 is closed following the fire westbound between the M27 at junction 2 for Owner and the A338 at Ringwood.
The eastbound carriageway is closed between the A338 and junction 1 of the M27 at Cadnam.
Image source, HIWFRSEvents planned by the fire service for the weekend have been put on hold due to the fire.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service says it has made the decision "to prioritise our resources" at the New Forest fire, maintain emergency cover and reduce unnecessary traffic in and around affected areas.
The events cancelled on Saturday are the Romsey fire station open day and the Ringwood 999 day.
Smoke coming from the heathland this morning has sparked a safety warning to drivers.
The fire service says smoke from the blaze next to the A31 is affecting the Roger Penny Way and the B3078.
Drivers in the area are being urged to take it slow.
The A31 near Ringwood - the main route for motorists through the New Forest - has been closed since a van caught fire on Sunday.
National Highways says the extent of the damage has now been assessed and major repairs are needed before it can reopen.
It says the road needs to be resurfaced, at least 1,000m (3,280 ft) of boundary fencing needs to be replaced, along with several hundred metres of barrier and bridge parapets.
The westbound carriageway is shut between the M27 junction 2 for Ower and the A338 at Ringwood.
The eastbound carriageway is closed between the A338 and junction 1 of the M27 at Cadnam.
Image source, HFRSIncident commander James Lucy says crews are working extremely hard in difficult conditions and remain hopeful of making further progress.
In an update last night, he says firefighters are facing significant challenges, including the vast size of the fire, the dry weather and the ongoing heat.
"We're expecting to be here for another three to four days with a similar resourcing plan," he says.
"A huge thank you to all our crews and everyone who has been involved."
Crews are also working to remove fuel that could help the fire spread.
