Firefighters have now entered their third day tackling a “fast-moving” wildfire in Suffolk as the crew has warned this is a “dynamic” and “unpredictable” incident.
Multiple fire brigades remained at the incident overnight, authorities said after the blaze spread to cover an area the size of 210 football pitches on Thursday. Firefighters identified and mapped trigger points on Thursday evening.
The Sizewell B nuclear power plant a few miles away is on alert as flames and smoke tear through Dunwich Heath, where at least 90 firefighters are battling the blaze.
Authorities have declared a major incident and residents in about 200 coastal properties and caravans were forced to leave. Many were put up by villagers three miles away.
Nuclear chiefs at EDF, who are understood to be monitoring the situation, said there was currently no risk to the power station.
The smoke and flames have also spread to the RSPB Minsmere nature reserve, which includes nationally important wildlife habitats protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Prime minister Andy Burnham promised that firefighters in Suffolk would have all the resources they needed. Green Party leader Zack Polanski called for Mr Burnham to hold an emergency Cobra meeting.
Have you been affected by the wildfire in Suffolk? We’d like to hear from you. Please email bryony.gooch.ind@independent.co.uk
Key Points
- Fire spreads to cover area as big as 210 football pitches
- Sizewell B operator denies nuclear power plant on high alert
- Burnham pledges fire crews will have everything they need
- Drought extended across all of Wales
- In pictures: Smoke billows over Suffolk as Dunwich Heath in flames
- Firefighters will continue to tackle blaze for 24 to 48 hours, fire chief says
‘All of Europe could catch fire this weekend’: Where is most at risk?
10:05 , Bryony GoochAs an EU agency warns that more of the continent could be ablaze at the beginning of August, Helen Coffey looks into where is most likely to be affected and when, in what is already being dubbed the biggest fire season in European history.
Read more here:
All of Europe’ could catch fire this weekend: Where is most at risk?
Fire crew thanks national effort as brigades across the country lend a hand
09:45 , Bryony GoochSuffolk Fire and Rescue has thanked fire brigades from across the country for sending crews, specialist equipment and resources as a wildfire rages on in Dunwich Heath.
They particularly thanked:
- Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
- Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service
- London Fire Brigade
- West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service
- East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (ESFRS)
- Surrey Fire and Rescue Service
- Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service
“We would also like to thank the many local businesses, farmers, volunteers, community groups and partner agencies who have stepped forward to help. Whether it's been donating food and drinks, lending equipment, providing practical support, or helping to look after those affected by the incident, everyone has gone above and beyond.”
Watch: Smouldering aftermath captured on camera of Suffolk wildfire
09:30 , Bryony GoochDisposable BBQs currently not under review, minister says
09:15 , Bryony GoochAthena Stavrou, political reporter:
A government minister has said the banning of disposable BBQs is currently not under review, despite concerns amid ongoing UK wildfires.Firefighters have spent 24 hours tackling a “fast-moving” wildfire in Suffolk after the blaze spread to cover an area the size of 210 football pitches on Thursday.
There have been calls to ban disposable BBQs in order to prevent further wildfires, but asked if the government had considered the move, first secretary of state Louise Haigh said it was not currently under review.
“We've got specialist drone technology in the area to monitor the situation and they are containing the fires, but we are keeping a very close eye on it,” she told BBC Breakfast. “The advice is very clear about behaviour in this weather. I hear the National Trusts' perspective.
“It's not something that is currently under review, but we will continue to monitor the situation very closely.”
In pictures: Firefighters tackle blaze in Dunwich Heath as smoke rises from the scorched earth
09:00 , Bryony Gooch
National trust calls on government to look into climate change adaption as she reflects on devastated 'Dunwich' Heath ecosystem
08:30 , Bryony GoochDr Hilary McGrady, the National Trust's director general, has said that the ecosystem on Dunwich Heath has been devastated.
"It's just been absolutely devastating," she told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme. "The impact has been enormous. I mean, the loss of this extraordinary landscape that so many people love, but of course the nature itself there, loss of nightjars of Dartford warblers, otters, lizards.
"The list is just so extensive. It's got every designation you could imagine," she said of the "incredibly important site."
The National Trust boss has called on the government to look into climate change adaption as she reflected on this being one of many large scale fires this summer.
"Climate change is here. This isn't something that we're waiting to happen. We are in the middle of it. We're feeling the impacts. I think everyone does recognise that now, but what we aren't yet seeing is that climate adaption, climate, thinking and planning isn't embedded across all parts of government.
"This is not just an environmental issue. This is an economic, a social issue that needs embedded. So we're calling for a plan that is cross-departmental, ideally led by a climate commissioner. We're looking for a planning system that really embeds climate adaption in everything that we do, houses that we build, landscapes that we look after. In our urban spaces, we need trees that will keep us cool. We need areas that will soak up the water when we, when we deal with flooding.
"Fundamentally though, we need to keep our fossil fuels in the ground."
She added: "This is a long term thing. We prepare for war, we prepare for pandemics. We need to prepare for climate change, and that's what we need to see."
Firefighters 'monitoring the weather' as 'tiny amount of rain' reduced fire's intensity overnight
08:11 , Bryony GoochHenry Griffin, the deputy chief fire officer from Suffolk Fire and Rescue has said the brigade is monitoring the weather as the fire's intensity was reduced by overnight activity and a "tiny amount of rain".
"We're now monitoring the weather," he told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme. "The wind stabilised overnight and dropped, but as the temperatures increased with sunrise, we anticipate the wind speed to increase, and that remains a dynamic incident for us that we'll be monitoring.
"There does remain deep seated hotspots across the fire front and areas that have been burnt. We are now in the process of mitigating that with off-road vehicles. We have bulldozers on scene, creating fire breaks, but there does remain a risk of re-ignition should the conditions become warmer or windier during the day."
Watch: Suffolk firefighters making 'good progress' as wildfire breaks out in Dunwich Heath
07:36 , Bryony GoochRecent update from firefighters
07:15 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarFire crews battling a large wildfire near Britain’s biggest nuclear power station have said the blaze is “stabilising”, as firefighting efforts enter their third day.
An update this morning said that “crews and officers remained at the incident overnight” and that they “maintained a watching brief during darkness”.
Firefighters have been tackling the blaze in Dunwich Heath, near Leiston, since Wednesday evening, with more than a hundred firefighters and a helicopter on site.
In pictures: Fire crews work to save burning trees
07:05 , Jane Dalton
Firefighters tackling Suffolk wildfire say situation stabilising
06:57 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarFirefighters tackling a wildfire on the Suffolk coast have said that they were in a better position on Thursday evening.
The Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said "the situation appears to be stabilising", according to the BBC. However, at least 12 fire engines remain on scene on Friday to manage the blaze.
Opinion: In tinderbox Britain, disposable barbecues should not be on sale
06:00 , Jane Dalton
In tinderbox Britain, why are disposable barbecues still on sale?
July rainfall in Suffolk only 2% of average
05:00 , Jane DaltonSuffolk has received only 2% of its average monthly rainfall for July so far, the Met Office says.
Other counties have recorded as low as 1% of average rainfall for July – or none at all, with today being the last day of the month.
Suffolk has recorded about a third (36%) of its average summer rainfall this year, from the start of June to the end of August, the Met Office said.
“There were some rain showers on the 1st/2nd and again 15th/16th,” a spokesperson for the forecaster said.
“Further showers are likely next week, possibly thundery, but with showers not everywhere will see the rain.”
In pictures: Helicopter drops water on Dunwich Heath
04:00 , Jane Dalton
Hundreds evacuated and nuclear power plant on alert – full report
03:00 , Jane Dalton
Hundreds evacuated and nuclear power plant on alert as Suffolk heathland blaze rages
No concern about threat to nuclear power station, say authorities
02:00 , Jane DaltonAuthorities say there is no concern that the fire might spread towards Sizewell B power station.
Freddie Gulliver, from the Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit, said: “Sizewell is not a risk, a concern currently at this stage. From the meetings we’ve had at the moment, that hasn’t been a concern.”
He said at this stage, the local authority was not planning any more evacuations.
He said while a rest centre had been set up for those forced to leave, he expected a low number of people to actually stay there.
“We currently have 40 beds on site. Whether we set them all up or not, we’ll see,” he said.
Watch: Aerial footage shows scale of Suffolk wildfire
01:00 , Jane DaltonAngela Rayner hails 'outstanding bravery' of fire crews
Friday 31 July 2026 00:01 , Jane DaltonCommunities secretary Angela Rayner has paid tribute to the firefighters in Suffolk.
“I want to pay tribute to the brave firefighters that are tackling the wildfire in Suffolk. Thank you,” she said.
“Your skill and dedication and bravery is outstanding.
“My thoughts are also with the residents that have had to leave their homes. I know it’s incredibly difficult circumstances.
“The Prime Minister has made clear that the whole of government will ensure that the fire and rescue services mutual aid and local services have all the resources they need.”
Holidaymakers had to drive through a lot of smoke
Thursday 30 July 2026 23:01 , Jane DaltonA woman on holiday with her husband and dog in a touring caravan at the holiday park near the fire said they had to drive through smoke as they left for safety.
Lisa Gordon, 54, and her husband left the Cliff House Holiday Park in Dunwich, Suffolk, on Wednesday evening.
“Just looking at the pictures… it’s quite worrying how close it is to the park now.
“It’s a car, it’s a caravan, and it’s insured but at the end of the day it’s a lot of hassle, isn’t it? They are things that can be replaced. But it’s not the relaxing day we thought we’d be having.”
She said that when she and her husband were told to leave the holiday park, they could see smoke behind the trees.
Mrs Gordon added: “It was only as we walked to reception to meet the police that all of a sudden, it kind of hit us.
“Where we were, it didn’t seem too bad at all. We weren’t really panicking at all.
“But as we got to the reception and the entrance, then the smoke hits and we had to drive with the police through quite a lot of smoke.”
Watch: Scorched ground smoulders as blaze spreads
Thursday 30 July 2026 21:59 , Jane Dalton
Suffolk wildfire: Smouldering aftermath captured as blaze continues to spread
Fire engines being sent from London
Thursday 30 July 2026 21:00 , Jane DaltonFire engines are being sent from London to help tackle the wildfire.
Freddie Gulliver, of the Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit, told residents at a meeting at Westleton Village Hall that Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service were making good progress and their tactics were working.
“They are getting extra engines from London as well, so that’s the national support that they ask for as well to bring into the area,” he said.
“There will still be no access to campsites or properties that have been evacuated, evacuated for tonight, in this evening.”
He said the fire service was confident it was tackling the fire, including by filling trenches with water and dropping water from helicopters.
Mr Gulliver added: “Good progress is being made. That said, anything can still happen until the fire is out completely.”
Heatwaves nearly double extra deaths, figures suggest
Thursday 30 July 2026 20:01 , Jane DaltonThere have been almost double the number of excess deaths caused by heatwaves so far this year than all of last summer, data suggest.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it was “likely that 2026 could see the highest number of heat-associated deaths on record”, surpassing the number seen in 2022, when the UKHSA started studying them.
The report estimates there were 2,877 heat-associated deaths during the heatwaves in May and June this year. Of those an estimated 753 were linked to the May heatwave, and a further 2,124 to the June heatwave.
Separate analysis by Imperial College London, the Met Office and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine projected 2,700 excess deaths for the two periods and said two-fifths were because of the extra heat caused by climate change.
Villagers put up people forced from homes overnight
Thursday 30 July 2026 19:31 , Jane DaltonVillagers living just over three miles from Dunwich Heath opened their doors to strangers who had been forced from their homes and gave them beds for the night.
Paul Ashton, deputy leader of East Suffolk Council, said the community response had been outstanding.
He said many people had left their static caravans and had probably gone home.
But he said: “We’ve got 40 people at Westleton – so Westleton village hall is acting as a rest centre.
“The villagers of Westleton last night put up all of those people in their own homes, so all 47.
“No one had to sleep in the village hall. They’ve cooked them breakfast, they’ve cooked them lunch, they’re planning on what to get them for supper.”
Mr Ashton added: “I think the local community has been outstanding in their response, and I think all those affected are really appreciative of what the people of Westleton have done.”
Half of England in drought – what does it mean for you?
Thursday 30 July 2026 19:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneHalf of England is officially in drought after record low rain and high temperatures, the Environment Agency has said.
Seven areas across central, eastern and southern England have been declared as in drought, including East Anglia, Hertfordshire, London, Thames Valley, Hampshire & the Isle of Wight, Devon & Cornwall, the West Midlands and Wessex – the latter of which covers Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, and south Gloucestershire.
July is set to be the driest month on record, with England having just 7 per cent of expected rainfall, and southern England seeing just 1 per cent.
Half of England in drought – what does it mean for you?
Dozens of people seek emergency shelter
Thursday 30 July 2026 18:29 , Jane DaltonA 75-year-old woman who has been helping people forced to leave their homes said she saw smoke billowing up until lunchtime today.
Dilys Hall said 47 people with eight dogs arrived looking for accommodation in Westleton, where the village hall is being used as a rest centre.
Ms Hall described the evacuees as “bemused”, adding: “They didn’t expect this, and neither did we, but we were there and we were able to help.
“They were all concerned but they all realised that until the morning came, and things settled down a bit, there wasn’t a lot that could be done.
“At lunchtime it became clear that the fire was serious enough that nobody was going to be able to get back, particularly to Cliff House (Holiday Park), which was where a lot of the evacuees have come from, until at least late afternoon tomorrow, and possibly later than that.”
She described the smoke “billowing up” in the distance, adding: “You could see flames from higher up in the village.
“We thought that by today, the flames and the smoke would have died down, but in fact, the smoke was still billowing up at lunchtime.”
Fire as big as 210 football pitches
Thursday 30 July 2026 18:15 , Jane DaltonThe area affected by the Suffolk fire has grown to 150 hectares, the equivalent of about 210 football pitches, according to the fire service.
They still expect the major incident response to carry on for another 48 hours at least.
“Changing wind conditions continue to affect the direction and behaviour of the fire, making it difficult to predict how it may spread,” they said.
“Firefighters continue to work with support from our neighbours in the region. We have also requested additional national support, including wildfire specialist appliances, officers and tactical advisers.”
They said that although some rain is possible overnight, several more dry days were forecast.
National Trust urges government not to back down on net zero policies amid 'horror' wildfires
Thursday 30 July 2026 18:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe National Trust has called for urgent adaptation to climate extremes – and warned the government not to back down on action to cut emissions – as the UK battles the latest wildfires brought on by hot dry conditions, and half of England and Wales are now in drought.
The charity’s intervention comes in the wake of 200 blazes nationwide in the past fortnight, include large areas of National Trust landscapes such as on the Isle of Wight and currently at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk.
Hilary McGrady, director-general at the National Trust said: “We’ve all been watching in horror as our neighbours in Europe are battling the most extreme fires.
“Fires like these might once have seemed unthinkable in Europe and the UK – but that certainty is gone.”
She called for urgent adaptation to the new conditions, including building homes fit for the future, creating wetter and more resilient landscapes, cooling towns and cities and helping communities to prepare for the changing weather.
“It means taking steps now to protect our health, our heritage and our way of life,” she urged. “But while we must adapt, we mustn’t accept these conditions as “normal” and become desensitised to the underlying issue while there is still time to change course.
“Every nation has to tackle the problem at source – and that means leaving fossil fuels in the ground. Andy Burnham and his government must not stall in their response. The UK has responded to enormous challenges over the last century, and with enough will and strong leadership, it can do so again,” she urged.
Burnham pledges fire crews will have everything they need
Thursday 30 July 2026 17:30 , Jane DaltonFirefighters in Suffolk will have all the support they need, the prime minister has pledged.
Andy Burnham, visiting Cumbria, said: “We’ve got the situation under close monitoring, and I’m receiving regular updates.
“It is a very serious incident.
“I will make sure that Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service have all of the support, the mutual aid, the other services that they need, and any other resources that need to be brought to bear.”
July on course to be driest in 190 years in Wales
Thursday 30 July 2026 17:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneDrought has now been declared across the whole of Wales, with this month on course to be the driest July in Wales since records began 190 years ago, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said.
North Wales and the Upper Severn were given drought status last week and, after continued low rainfall and high temperatures, this has now been extended to include the whole of the country, the devolved Government agency said.
The majority of rivers across Wales are exceptionally low, and the dry conditions are leading to river beds drying out, distressing fish, causing algal blooms, and raising concerns from farmers about crop growth, the body said.
It added there were also concerns about grazing conditions and levels of drinking water for livestock, it added.
Rhian Thomas, Sustainable Water and Nature Manager at NRW, said: “The intensity of the heat and the exceptional lack of rainfall means this is a rapidly changing picture in Wales.
“Our teams are closely monitoring forecasts and river flows and responding to increasing environmental concerns and incidents across Wales.
“The toll on the environment, our land and agriculture is clear to see, with many of our teams still dealing with the aftermath of extensive wildfires which have devastated forestry, grassland and special habitats.
“With no strong indications for notable rainfall in the forecasts, and risks of further heatwaves over the summer, it’s more important than ever that we all use water wisely. Every drop we waste is less water for our rivers and wildlife when they need it the most.”
Suffolk received only two per cent of average monthly rainfall in July, Met Office says
Thursday 30 July 2026 16:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSuffolk has only received two per cent of its average monthly rainfall for July so far, the Met Office has said.
It added other counties have recorded as low as one per cent or zero per cent of average rainfall for July, with tomorrow being the last day of the month.
Suffolk has also recorded 36 per cent of its average summer rainfall this year, with summer being recorded from the start of June to the end of August, the Met Office said.
“There were some rain showers on the 1st/2nd and again 15th/16th,” a spokesperson for the forecaster said on Thursday.
“Some showers, possibly heavy are possible this evening and into the early hours of Friday.
“Further showers are likely next week, possibly thundery, but with showers not everywhere see the rain.”
Parts of Suffolk suffer power cuts amid wildfire
Thursday 30 July 2026 16:36 , Nicole Wootton-CanePower has been cut to three postcodes in Suffolk as firefighters tackle a wildfire near to a nuclear power station in the area of Dunwich Heath, the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has said.
The power currently affects 116 customers and teams from the UK Power Networks (UKPN) are working to fix the issue.
UKPN has not yet confirmed when the power will be back on and has communicated with customers, the fire service added in an update on Thursday afternoon.
“Eighteen fire engines and 120 firefighters are involved in the response, but difficult terrain and limited access routes are making it hard for crews to reach some areas of the wildfire,” it said.
“The fire remains fast moving, and crews are working hard to contain it and protect surrounding areas.”
This month busiest July on record for wildfires in England and Wales, fire chiefs say
Thursday 30 July 2026 16:31 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThis month has been the busiest on record for wildfires in England and Wales, with nearly 400 recorded so far.
Fire chiefs said the number of wildfires this year has already reached the total number for the whole of 2021 (223), 2023 (293), and 2024 (200) combined.
A warning issued by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said wildfires are becoming an “increasingly significant and sustained pressure” on fire and rescue services.
Phil Garrigan, Chair of the NFCC, said: “We have already responded to more than 700 wildfires this year, and every one of those incidents places additional pressure on firefighters and fire and rescue services across the country.
“These fires can burn for days, often in remote locations, challenging terrain and extreme temperatures. They demand significant resources, tie up crews for prolonged periods and reduce opportunities for firefighters to rest and recover between incidents.
“Wildfires are no longer isolated or seasonal events. They are becoming a recurring and growing feature of the risks facing our communities and emergency services. As climate and environmental conditions continue to change, we must ensure our fire and rescue services are equipped to meet that challenge.
“That means sustained investment in specialist training, modern equipment, national resilience capabilities and the research and technology needed to improve our prevention, preparedness and response. We cannot afford to treat wildfires as an emerging risk any longer. They are a reality now, and our national capability must evolve accordingly.”
In pictures: Emergency services at the scene of the wildfire
Thursday 30 July 2026 16:30 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Scale of fire 'unprecedented in living memory', RSPB manager says
Thursday 30 July 2026 16:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe RSPB Suffolk area manager has said the scale of the blaze is “unprecedented in living memory” and the damage to the nature reserve is “quite devastating”.
Speaking near RSPB’s Minsmere reserve, Adam Rowlands said: “It’s been tinder dry so with the drought conditions, all the vegetation, the ground is extremely dry and so once this fire took off, it spread dramatically and quickly.
“It’s spreading through the pine trees, so in places that’s 20 metres high.”
Mr Rowlands said the affected land, some of which is managed by the National Trust and the RSPB, was home to rare wildlife including nightjars and it would take “more than a decade” for the habitat to recover.
He added: “It’s been years of effort to get the habitats in such good condition.
“You know, the record numbers of nightjars and Dartford warblers and nightingales breeding on the site this summer – so years of hard work to get those bird populations to really evolve, and then absolutely devastated and wiped out by this one event, so it’s really heartbreaking for the team and all the effort they do.”
Cairngorms firefighters make 'significant' progress
Thursday 30 July 2026 16:00 , Jane DaltonFire crews in Scotland say they are making significant progress tackling a wildfire in the Cairngorms that broke out two weeks ago.
A number of homes in the remote region were evacuated as plumes of smoke billowed into the sky.
Swathes of trees, heather and grasslands have been left charred and blackened.
Met Office weather forecast suggests when it could finally rain across UK
Thursday 30 July 2026 15:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAs half of England has officially declared drought following a series of sweltering heatwaves, the nation is desperate to know one thing: when will it rain?
Wednesday was another blisteringly hot day with temperatures recorded above 35C in the hottest areas, marking the seventh time this year that the mercury has rocketed above the mid-30s.
July is set to be England’s driest month on record, as the Environment Agency described the conditions affecting up to 28 million people as a “flash drought”.
But some good news has finally arrived as temperatures are set to take a slight dip towards the end of the week, bringing more average weather for this time of year, and perhaps some rain.
You can read more below:
Met Office weather forecast suggests when it could finally rain across UK
Watch: Live coverage of the wildfire at Dunwich Heath
Thursday 30 July 2026 15:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneDrought extended across all of Wales
Thursday 30 July 2026 15:25 , Nicole Wootton-CaneA drought has been declared across all of Wales as Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said sustained high temperatures were causing the condition of the natural environment to "deteriorate".
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said: “This is the third change in drought status in as many weeks and reflects how quickly conditions have deteriorated during this exceptionally warm and dry period”.
The main catchments affected by the change to ‘drought’ status today include:
- Wye (Wales)
- Usk
- Valleys and Vale of Glamorgan
- Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend
- Swansea and Llanelli
- Carmarthenshire
- Pembrokeshire
- Teifi
- North Ceredigion
Polanski calls on PM to host emergency Cobra meeting over wildfires
Thursday 30 July 2026 15:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneGreen Party leader Zack Polanski has called for Andy Burnham to host an emergency Cobra meeting to discuss the outbreak of wildfires in Great Britain, including in Suffolk.
“Across the country terrifying wildfires are raging, forcing people to leave their homes not knowing what they will come back to find,” Mr Polanski said.
“Thousands of people have been killed by deadly temperatures in the most extreme heatwaves we’ve ever faced.
“And yet our prime minister is silent in the face of this existential threat.
“Burnham should call a Cobra meeting and set out urgently how his government will keep people safe amid this crisis.”
Nuclear power station on alert over wildfires
Thursday 30 July 2026 15:05 , Nicole Wootton-CaneNuclear power station Sizewell B is on alert over ongoing wildfires nearby its Suffolk site.
EDF energy, which operates the site, said it is monitoring the situation but that there is currently no risk to the plant.
In pictures: The battle against the flames at Dunwich Heath
Thursday 30 July 2026 15:00 , Jane Dalton
Wildfire 'serious incident' that will have 'all the support' it needs, PM says
Thursday 30 July 2026 14:33 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSuffolk Fire and Rescue Service will have “all the support” it needs to deal with the wildfire near the coast, the prime minister has pledged.
Speaking to reporters, Andy Burnham said: “We’ve got the situation under close monitoring, and I’m receiving regular updates.
“It is a very serious incident. I will make sure that Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service have all of the support, the mutual aid, the other services that they need, and any other resources that need to be brought to bear.”
Fire chiefs can't say when people will be allowed to return home
Thursday 30 July 2026 14:23 , Jane DaltonFire chiefs say they cannot predict when residents will be able to return to homes they were forced to evacuate.
Cliff House Holiday Park, containing some 200 caravans, was completely evacuated as a precaution.
“We won't advise people to go back to their properties until it's absolutely safe to do so," said chief fire officer Jon Lacey.
“But we will do that as quickly as we possibly can to make sure they get back to their belongings and back to normality.”
He said it was difficult to say when they would be able to return.
Some people had left their homes voluntarily, while others left on the advice of fire crews.
Some 46 people were at the evacuation centre.
Help from other fire services to be drafted in
Thursday 30 July 2026 14:16 , Jane DaltonFire chiefs say they will start calling on other fire services in the UK to relieve crews working at Dunwich Heath.
Suffolk's chief fire officer Jon Lacey said: "We're now at the point where the crews need relieving”.
He added: “They need their respirators to keep them safe and sound so we do now start to pull up on our regional resources from other fire services.”
He said: “We’re expecting an ask to go in for national resources, which come from further away.”
Flames attack RSPB Minsmere
Thursday 30 July 2026 13:51 , Jane DaltonThe Suffolk blaze has spread to parts of the RSPB Minsmere nature reserve, which staff say will be closed until further notice.
Trees have been blackened and ground scorched.
Reserve staff wrote on social media: “Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service is currently dealing with a significant fire at Minsmere, which started late on Wednesday afternoon near Dunwich Heath.
“Due to hot, windy conditions, the situation is changing rapidly and we urge everyone to avoid the area and keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.
“Local residents are also advised to keep windows and doors closed where possible.
“We're incredibly grateful to the fire service and all partners responding to this incident.”
And they begged people to take extra care outdoors, warning it takes only a single spark to start a wildfire.
Sizewell C issues update on wildfire
Thursday 30 July 2026 13:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSizewell C, a nuclear power station currently under construction, has said it is at “low risk” of being affected by the ongoing wildfire but that it is “continuously assessing smoke conditions”.
In a post on social media, a spokesperson said: “We are closely monitoring the fire at Dunwich Heath, which currently poses a low risk to Sizewell C due to its distance from the site and the watercourses in between.
“Our sites and offices remain open and operating as normal. We are continuously assessing smoke conditions and any impacts on the road network to help keep people safe and ensure emergency services have priority access.
“We remain ready to support the local community, working closely with the local council, police and Fire and Rescue Service.”
It comes as EDF, the operator of Sizewell B, said the fire is “not currently affecting operations” at the station.
In pictures: Smoke covers Suffolk sky as firefighters tackle massive blaze
Thursday 30 July 2026 13:30 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
UK’s record-breaking heatwaves led to almost 3,000 deaths
Thursday 30 July 2026 13:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneHeatwave-related deaths in the UK have almost doubled this year compared to last summer, new figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveal.
A report estimates 2,877 heat-associated deaths occurred during the heatwaves in May and June alone.
This total includes an estimated 753 deaths linked to the May heatwave (24-27 May) and a further 2,124 during the June heatwave (21-28 June). These figures are nearly twice the number reported for the entire summer period of June to August last year.
You can read more below:
