COASTGUARD officers and RNLI lifeboat volunteers were scrambled to Arne and the River Frome after reports of distress flares being sighted.
However, it was eventually confirmed the flares were actually coming from the military range at Lulworth, where night firing exercises were taking place.
The call came in just after 7pm on Thursday, February 4.
Kimmeridge Coastguard and Poole Coastguard rescue teams were tasked to investigate Arne and the River Frome.
A Poole Coastguard Rescue Team spokesman said: "Poole lifeboats launched to search the Wareham Channel and River Frome.
"Both coastguard and lifeboat crews spotted multiple flares being set off, which gave a direction of the Lulworth Cove.
"After further investigation, the military range at Lulworth was live firing."
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