Fire crews continue to battle an extensive wildfire at Dunwich Heath, close to the Sizewell power sites in Suffolk, after Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident.
Scale of the response
On Thursday afternoon the service reported the blaze remained active and was estimated to cover about 100 hectares. Operational resources at the scene include 18 fire engines and more than 100 firefighters, with additional support being used to tackle the fire.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Estimated area burning | ~100 hectares |
| Fire engines on scene | 18 |
| Firefighters involved | 100+ |
National attention and safety concerns
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was keeping the situation under close watch and promised that Suffolk’s fire service would receive "all of the support" required, including mutual aid and any additional resources needed.
“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 are monitoring risks to nearby infrastructure. The blaze is a few miles from the operational Sizewell B nuclear power station and the construction site for Sizewell C. Jon Lacey, chief fire officer for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said Sizewell B was a point of concern but warned that the fire service was not currently expecting the flames to move towards either station.
“So at the moment, Sizewell B and C are being monitored. We’re in consultation with them, but we’re not worried about fire spread in that direction.”
Helicopter activity was observed ferrying seawater to be dropped on the fire. An EDF spokesperson said operations at Sizewell B were not being affected and that the company was closely monitoring events. Fire commanders said the incident was both "difficult and dangerous", describing it as one of the largest wildfires they could recall in Suffolk.
What residents should know
- Authorities have declared a major incident — follow instructions from emergency services.
- Avoid the affected area to allow crews to operate and to reduce the risk to yourselves.
- Expect continued activity for at least the next 24–48 hours while the situation is managed.
Local and national agencies are coordinating the response while closely tracking weather conditions with the Met Office and the Environment Agency. Further updates will be issued by Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service and other official bodies as the response continues.
