Motorists and local residents were urged to stay away as firefighters entered their third day battling a large New Forest heath blaze off the A31 near Ringwood this morning (Tuesday). Firefighters worked throughout last night to tackle the heath blaze off the A31 near Ringwood (picture: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service)Having soon spread onto the central reservation and then onto heathland, by yesterday (Monday) evening the fire had engulfed over 100 hectares. The A31 remains shut in both directions, between the A338 at Ringwood and the M27 junction one at Cadnam eastbound, and between the M27 junction two at Ower and the A338 at Ringwood westbound. Firefighters worked throughout a second night, facing an extra challenge posed by a change in the wind direction. Its rapid relief team has been providing food and drink to the firefighters as they continue working in the challenging conditions.