Norfolk has seen an intense spell of wildfires and field blazes, with more than 60 incidents of open‑land fires recorded by Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service in a single week. Crews remained at the scene of the county’s largest recent wildfire two days after it began.
Where the fires have occurred and the current situation
The most significant blaze started at Shouldham Warren, near RAF Marham, at about 1pm on Thursday, July 30. By Friday the fire service reported the incident was under control and surrounded, but firefighters continued work on site into the weekend to ensure the fire did not re‑ignite.
the fire service said its crews are "damping down" and thanked everyone who has been involved in the incident.
Wednesday was a particularly busy day, with five wildfires — each defined as at least 10,000 square metres — recorded across the county. More than 100 firefighters were deployed to tackle blazes near Aylsham, Knapton, Middleton, Buxton and Gunton. A separate field fire also caused several road closures close to Aylsham.
| Location | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Shouldham Warren (near RAF Marham) | Largest in the week; under control but crews "damping down" |
| Aylsham | Wildfire response; nearby road closures from a field fire |
| Knapton, Middleton, Buxton, Gunton | Wildfires fought on a busy response day |
| Dunwich Heath (Suffolk) | Norfolk crews also assisted with this large wildfire over county border |
Why fires are more frequent
The Environment Agency has described current conditions in parts of the region as a “flash drought”, brought on by very low rainfall combined with high temperatures. Dry vegetation and soils raise the risk that a small ignition source — discarded glass, a hot vehicle exhaust, or an escaped barbeque — can quickly develop into a fast‑moving fire.
- Scale: More than 60 open‑land fires recorded across the week.
- Concentration: Five wildfires in one day within the county.
- Resources: Over 100 firefighters mobilised on the busiest day; mutual aid provided to neighbouring Suffolk.
While the immediate incidents have been contained, the sustained dry weather continues to create an elevated risk of further fires. Residents and visitors are being urged to take care with potential ignition sources and to follow any local restrictions or guidance issued by emergency services.
Local authorities and emergency crews will continue to monitor the situation; where fires affect roads or homes, the fire service and police will publish specific safety and diversion information for those areas.
This developing spell of wildfires highlights the strain on firefighting resources and the importance of public vigilance while the county remains in drier than normal conditions.
