4.0 Opinion

4.1       Summary of range of opinion on fire location

4.1.1    The general area of fire origin was located following witness testimony from the crews who attended and located the first incident on the 26/06/25.  This location has been corroborated by multiple witnesses and attendances of the first incident and pointed the fire investigation team towards an area close to the Northern border of the forest

4.1.2    Whilst in this area the Fire Investigation team looked for areas of most fire damage, given that 54 days had passed at this point a lot of the area had begun to see regrowth of vegetation like bracken.  It was at this point that the team discovered an area heavily damaged by fire underneath but had new growth on top.

4.1.3    Further investigation in this area and through use of a drone showed the area of new vegetation growth aligning to the forestry area which showed older damage.  This area was consistent with where landowners, Forestry England and operational fire crews confirmed the fire to be, and this became the area known as the general area of fire origin.