More than 120 firefighters are tackling a “devastating” blaze on internationally protected heathland in the New Forest.

The area hit by the blaze, which started after a van caught fire on the A31 near Ringwood on Sunday, is protected heathland that is home to a number of rare species, according to the New Forest national park authority.

“It’s rare heathland which globally is more rare than rainforest with lots of rare species,” a spokesperson said. “We have the highest concentration of lowland heathland in western Europe and it’s internationally protected.

“It is home to all six UK native reptiles, Dartford warblers, nightjars, insects – it’s devastating.”

Climate breakdown has been linked to the increasing frequency of wildfires, burning larger areas, across many parts of the world. The so-called “firewave” currently underway in the UK is the most widespread the country has ever seen, with the combination of wet winters and prolonged heatwaves exacerbating the risk.

More than 120 firefighters are tackling the blaze near the A31 after a vehicle fire spread to the nearby heathland on Sunday. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

The spokesperson added that it was too early to tell how much damage had been caused because the incident was still ongoing.

Hampshire fire and rescue service, assisted by neighbouring services, initially sent 26 fire engines and four water carriers after receiving 160 emergency calls reporting that an HGV had caught fire.

The fire service said the blaze had spread from the vehicle to the central reservation before progressing into nearby heathland in a southeasterly direction and was in a “challenging rural location”.

The fire service has warned people living nearby that it may need to lay hoses across their property as it draws water from a nearby lake. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

On Monday afternoon, the service was using drones to monitor the spread of the fire – with 10 fire engines and 13 off-road vehicles still involved in the operation. It said: “There are more than 120 firefighters on the scene battling the heat and arduous terrain, in order to prevent further fire spread.

“We are monitoring the fire, which is affecting a 1 sq kilometre area of heathland off of the A31, with police drones. Currently, we have 10 fire engines and 13 off-road vehicles in attendance, and we plan to maintain this number of vehicles until at least midnight, although it is likely to be required for longer.

“We ask that you continue to avoid this area, with road closures still in place, whilst our teams work to save this part of our beautiful countryside.”

The fire service has warned people living nearby that it may need to lay hoses across their properties as it draws water from a nearby lake.

Forestry England said in a statement that it was supporting the emergency services tackling the fire, which it said had spread to Bratley Wood and the surrounding area, which includes a Canadian war memorial.

The statement continues: “Incidents like this can be devastating to all of the things that make the New Forest so special.

“Our team will be carefully assessing the impact once the incident is fully resolved.”

New Forest ponies seek shade at the New Forest Inn on Sunday. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

A Hampshire constabulary spokesperson said that 23 vehicles were left behind by motorists on Sunday, which were moved by police, with the owners asked to call 101 to be reunited with their vehicles.

A National Highways spokesperson said its contractors were on the scene, and added: “There is significant damage to the road surface, road safety barrier and boundary fencing as a result of the fire and a subsequent oil spillage from the burnt-out vehicle.

“All of which will require emergency repairs when safe to do so.”

Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire fire and rescue service declared a major incident on Sunday as two large fires in woodland put a strain on resources with several wildfires having broken out in the UK during recent weeks.