article_snippet.sent: It came after days of storms lashed Britain, with trees felled and roads shut.
article_snippet.sent: But a picturesque area was tinderbox dry as much of a picturesque area is on a hillside and water had run off down the slope.
article_snippet.sent: Firefighters said that while it has rained in the area, the hilly landscape meant little moisture remained near the top of the soil.
article_snippet.sent: There was also a lot of dead, dry growth left over from winter, which had been the sunniest since records began in 1929.
article_snippet.sent: The main problem yesterday was the strength of the wind.
article_snippet.sent: Nicky Hoar from Dorset Wildlife Trust said Nicky Hoar from Dorset Wildlife Trust would take 20 to 30 years for the heathland ecosystem to fully recover.
article_snippet.sent: There was a little flurry yesterday
highlights_snippet.sent: A lack of rain combined with strong 45mph winds 