Firefighters are tackling a huge blaze near a nuclear power plant in Suffolk as authorities declared a “major incident” and residents have been evacuated.
At least 90 firefighters are tackling the “large-scale, wind- driven forestry fire” which broke out on Dunwich Heath shortly after 5:30pm on Wednesday, the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said.
Residents in several coastal properties and caravans have been evacuated as crews issued an urgent plea for people to stay away from the area.
There is no current risk to Sizewell B – a nuclear power station which provides electricity to 2.5 million households – due to the distance of the fire, but firefighters warn it is a “live and dynamic situation”.
It comes after forecasters warned any wildfires that break out in the South of England this week could become “exceptionally severe” due to a prolonged spell of hot and dry weather across the country.
The UK has experienced record-breaking temperatures this summer, with four heatwaves and a severe dry spell that has left the landscape parched.
At the height of the third heatwave in mid-July, firefighters were battling 19 significant wildfires simultaneously in England and Wales.
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Firefighting operations 'strengthened' due to changing wind conditions
Firefighting efforts have been “strengthened” due to changing wind conditions with evacuations underway.
Wind conditions are expected to become “variable” this morning due to a change in the weather, meaning properties at risk of fire and smoke are being evacuated, fire crews have said in an update on Thursday morning.
They again urged members of the public to avoid the area.
No injuries reported in wildfire
No injuries have been reported during the wildfire on Dunwich Heath, emergency services have confirmed.
Around 200 people were successfully evacuated overnight from holiday homes in the area.
Nature reserve closed due to proximity to wildfires
A nature reserve on the doorstep of the ongoing blaze on Dunwich Heath has closed today due to the incident.
In a post shared on social media, RSPB Minsmere said: “Due to the ongoing situation at Dunwich Heath, Minsmere will be closed today (Thursday 30 July).
“This is a precautionary measure and we will keep you updated as to when the reserve will reopen.”
Parts of the UK have been without rain for more than 40 days
Parts of the UK have been without rain for more than 40 days before a devastating wildfire broke out on Dunwich Heath.
Met Office data shows that at the start of the week, Wisley, in Surrey, had had 40 consecutive “dry days”, in which no or only a trace of rain has been recorded, while Herstmonceux, West End, in East Sussex had 37 dry days.
A number of other sites including Suffolk, where the fire has broken out, Heathrow in London and spots in Worcestershire, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Lincolnshire have all recorded more than 30 consecutive dry days.
Earlier this week a National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) spokesperson warned: “With the Met Office warning that a fourth heatwave could develop this week, bringing another period of very hot weather to parts of the UK, fire and rescue services remain on alert and are continuing to prepare for renewed wildfire risk.”
Fire is 'sad news', former Suffolk coastal MP says
The ongoing wildfire on Dunwich Heath is “sad news”, the former MP for Suffolk coastal Thérèse Coffey has said.
In a post on X, she wrote: “Sad news to wake up to with wildfire spreading across @nationaltrust Dunwich Heath. I know @SuffolkFire is already responding. Thank you to all the retained and regular fire fighters working on this. Let's hope it doesn't spread to @RSPBMinsmere and further along @coastandheaths.”
Full list of areas affected by drought as half of England plunged into dry weather crisis
The wildfire in Suffolk comes as almost half of England’s population is experiencing official drought conditions following a period of low rainfall and back-to-back heatwaves.
You can read more about where is affected below:
Evacuated holiday park owner says fire is 'not over yet'
The owner of a holiday park which was evacuated overnight due to the huge ongoing wildfire on Dunwich Heath has warned the blaze “isn’t over yet” and thanked fire services for their help.
Around 200 caravans from Cliff House holiday park were evacuated overnight as a precaution.
In a post this morning, the holiday park’s owner said it is so far untouched by the flames but warned heathland fires can be “very unpredictable”.
“Heathland Fires are never an easy thing to deal with and can very unpredictable…,” he wrote.
“Our thanks to our team last night who were fabulous. We were in close contact with the Chief Fireman all evening and followed his instruction, later in the evening he elevated his advice from a pre-evacuation warning to that of ‘on the balance of safety everyone should vacate the area.’
“This advice was proved absolutely correct as the wind did change direction to the East pushing the fire towards us. The latest news is that we are thus far untouched by the fire however this is still a major incidence so not over yet.”
He added: “A special thanks goes to the Suffolk Fire Service for tackling the fire so professionally, we really appreciate their help last night and our thanks to all our customers who had to leave and for being so understanding.”
Wildfire 'not currently affecting' nuclear power plant, energy chiefs say
Energy chiefs have confirmed the wildfire on Dunwich Heath is “not currently” affecting the nearby Sizewell B power station.
An EDF spokesperson said it is “continuing to monitor the situation” as firefighters continue to tackle the blaze.
'No risk' to nuclear power plant at the moment, fire crews say
Fire crews have said there is currently “no risk” to a nuclear power plant located near the fire, but that the situation is “live and dynamic”.
The Sizewell B power plant is located further south down the Suffolk coast to where the wildfire is understood to have broken out.
Firefighters said the blaze is currently travelling easterly, meaning the nuclear power plant is not at risk.
In a statement this morning, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) wrote: “At this time there is no current risk to Sizewell B, due to the distance from the fire and the direction it is travelling (Easterly).
“However, this is a live and dynamic situation and as a result any further updates will be shared accordingly.”