The two wildfires on Salisbury Plain have been put out and a helicopter will be used again this morning to help dampen down the area.

Work began last night and will continue this morning to dampen down the edges of the wildfires.

The wildfires near Enford and Urchfont were caused by live firing by military units practicing for a British Army deployment.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “All fires on the Salisbury Plain Training Area are now extinguished, there is no smoke leaving the area and the sky is blue.

“The helicopter is being deployed again this morning to further dampen down any ‘hot spots’ and review the area.

“The helicopter water drop yesterday successfully doused large areas of fire around the impact area, and firefighting continued on site last night until it got dark.

“DWFRS resources are back on scene this morning – two water carriers, a small 4×4 appliance and a fire engine – and are providing the water supply to the helicopter, which will be flying again today. Further information on progress should be available this afternoon.”

DWFRS has been working with the MoD to contain the fires to the controlled impact area where military training takes place.

Thousands of residents had been urged to keep their doors and windows closed during the scorching hot weather to avoid breathing in toxic fumes from the smoke from the fires.

A Defence Infrastructure Organisation spokesman said: “DWFRS remain on site and are dampening down where access is permitted. A helicopter will begin dropping water around the periphery of the impact area.

“They cannot drop water directly over the impact area as it requires low level flying, which would put the crew at risk if unexploded ordnance were to be set off by the heat.

“Again, we apologise for the inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience.”

The water drops by helicopters is likely to continue into tomorrow (Friday) if they are not successful today.

Soldiers from the Second Parachute Regiment and the Royal Artillery worked with DWFRS firefighters to try and contain the fires.