This is the moment a van explodes into flames, igniting the devastating wildfire that has swept across 250 acres of the New Forest and is still burning.Footage of the blaze erupting has emerged as firefighters battled it for a third day, with brigade bosses warning they are likely to remain at the scene 'for some time to come'.The white van, filmed by several drivers passing it on the A31 near Ringwood on Sunday, is seen completely engulfed in flames before the fire quickly spread to bushes and trees.One local said today: 'The whole thing is just absolutely heartbreaking and I want to cry over it. It's just awful.'But I think also we need to spare a thought for that poor van driver. They must be feeling absolutely devastated because they inadvertently started this.'Today, the fire service said it would launch a 'larger-scale attack' on the blaze in a bid to bring it under control.Bournemouth Water has asked locals to reduce their own usage due to increased pressure on supply because of the amount of water needed to fight the New Forest fire.Firefighters are managing to contain the blaze, but a change in wind direction is making efforts more challenging, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said.Another UK wildfire raged as Britain's sixth heatwave of the year will build from today to a 36C peak this Thursday - with no rain in the forecast and almost three-quarters of England now in drought.UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) amber heat health alerts will be active for most of England from this morning until Friday evening, warning of a 'rise in deaths'.Motorists were forced to abandon their cars and walk miles down a main road in searing heat to escape the major wildfire near the New Forest on Sunday.Around two dozen vehicles were left on the A31 near Ringwood, Hampshire.Around 250 acres of heathland, about the size of 140 football pitches, is alight or has been burned or damaged as 1,300-litres per minute of water is taken along a five-mile pipeline from Hightown Lake to fight the flames in the Bratley Wood area.The area is home to rare wildlife and reptiles. The habitat is likely to take decades to recover.More than 120 firefighters have been tackling the blaze over the past 72 hours. The public has been told to avoid the area completely, while the A31 has also been badly damaged and will need repairs before it can reopen, according to National Highways.The giant New Forest fire in protected heathland is still burning on Tuesday, with smoke visible 30 miles away in Portsmouth.Police urged drivers to leave their cars if they wanted to 'stay alive' as the road was cleared to avoid the vehicles becoming 'bombs'. Some 23 cars were abandoned, with mothers wheeling children in prams among those forced to evacuate. The moment the New Forest set alight from a burning white van has emerged today The vehicle was engulfed and the flames spread to the tinder-dry foliage by the A31 at Ringwood Drone footage shows extensive damage to the New Forest area as smoke pours into the sky Scorched and smoking heathland sparked by the burning van, dry conditions and strong winds Firefighters spray water on to burnt ground on heathland in the New Forest National Park near Ringwood Two New Forest ponies take shelter from the sun as they stand in the shade outside The New Forest Inn in Emery DownAt one point 26 fire engines were battling to bring the flames under control, with crews unbolting the central reservation to get vehicles off the road.The emergency services had received more than 160 calls relating to the fire just before 5.30pm on Sunday.The fire has affected 247 acres - one square kilometre - of heathland, which is being monitored with the help of police drones. The fire service said in a statement: 'Crews have worked tirelessly throughout the night, a change in wind direction provided a challenge to the firefighting operations but thanks to the efforts of firefighters we are managing to contain the fire.'We have been using a mix of fire engines and off-road vehicles to damp down and cool the edges of the area involved in the fire to prevent spread and escalation.'The police drone is being used to enable us to prioritise hotspot areas and manage flare-ups.'Overnight we had a slightly reduced presence with seven fire engines on site plus water carriers, off road vehicles and support vehicles but are planning to increase this for a larger scale attack today.'We are maintaining water supply to the site through combination of water carriers and the High Volume Pump (HVP) system.'We recognise that the hoses that have been laid as part of this system do in places go across access to homes in the area and we thank residents for their support and patience.'The HVP allows us to move large amounts of water over a longer distance, helping crews maintain a continuous supply while they work to bring the fire under control.'It comes during a record-breaking dry spell in England, with 27million people subject to a hosepipe ban and a sixth heatwave of the year set to arrive later this week.Further areas are set to be placed into an official drought last night - which is declared when an area has gone more than 50 days without rain.The area hit by the blaze is protected heathland which is home to a number of rare species including reptiles, according to the New Forest National Park Authority.Hampshire Police moved the abandoned vehicles as the fire was being tackled and they will now need to be recovered. Drivers who had to leave their cars were advised to call 101 with their numberplate details so they can be returned. Hundreds of motorists were held up by the blaze while fire crews worked out how to evacuate them. Those affected explained how huge flames spread across both sides of the dual carriageway about a mile from the Canadian War Memorial just north-east of Shobley.One driver said: 'It happened so fast. Some drivers just went straight through the flames. Others did emergency stops, turned around and tried to get back along the carriageway. It was sheer panic.' Drivers were ordered to abandon their vehicles and walk down the side of the road as the fire raged on the fire on the A31 in Hampshire