Residents, farmers and firefighters from 18 stations have been trying to tackle a huge fire that's been devastating Dartmoor in since yesterday afternoon. is sweeping across Dartmoor for a second day, with multiple fire crews and an Urban Search and Rescue Team in attendance.

Crews are currently tackling the ongoing blaze using ATV's and leaf-blowers. Shocking footage has been released of the huge fire continuing to burn in Dartmoor. The aerial clip by captured by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue fire officer Dan Searle, shows huge swaths of burnt heathland.

Those heading to the moor today are being urged by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service to avoid the Merrivale and Okehampton range areas. With today's changeable , the fire may behave unpredictably and pose a risk, according to the fire service.

While the cause is currently unknown, the ongoing dry spell of weather has left habitats across Devon and Somerset highly vulnerable to fire.

The fire service is pleading with locals to help protect these areas by opting for picnics instead of BBQs, and by ensuring any open fires are fully out and cool before you leave.

They have also advised anyone whose property was affected by the smoke to close their windows. Locals are being warned to "stay safe and alert".

At around 5pm yesterday afternoon, firefighters said that the fire was approximately one mile wide and spreading one metre every minute due to moderate winds. By 5.30pm, the fire was estimated to be one to two miles wide.

In an update at 10.15pm last night the fire service said: "This incident is still ongoing with an additional 4x4 mobilised from Princetown, a Welfare unit mobilised from Ivybridge, two relief appliances mobilised from Chagford and Princetown and a helicopter from National Police Air Service (NPAS) has attended to provide aerial support.

"Following an overhead flight of the incident, the fire front is confirmed to measure 3kmx1.4km. Fire control have received a further relief request for two further appliances to be at the incident for midnight."

At 2.15am this morning, the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said: "[Two] further fire appliances were mobilised around midnight as part of a relief strategy, these were mobilised from Moretonhampstead and Yelverton. Crews are carrying out a watching brief from [two] strategic locations surrounding the fire.

"The wind is currently blowing against the fire, preventing it from spreading quickly. Reliefs of supporting officers have also taken place through the night so far."

In an update at 11am this morning the fire service confirmed the large fire was still burning and a multi-agency meeting had taken place between Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue, Police, Dartmoor Rangers and Commoners to establish a course of action moving forward.

In statement the fire service said: "The current size of this fire is unknown at this time. Crews are fighting fire using ATV's and leaf-blowers.

"We request that members of the public do not visit the Merrivale and Okehampton area of Dartmoor at this time due to on-going firefighting activities. "

Now, even local people and farmers are assisting with the fire. One local man said he was told it was almost four miles wide last night: "The fire on the moor looked pretty bad as we saw it from Great Kneeset and White Barrow."

One resident took to Facebook to call the "state of the Moor heartbreaking".

The user said: "Was bound to happen, this is a result of rewilding, the state of the Moor is heartbreaking, leave it to the people who've worked the Moor for centuries to manage it."

A second user said: "The saddest part is it is breeding season for many of the creatures that live on the Moors."

"Moorland fires are happening all over the country right now. Never known there be so many", said a third.