Fire crews battling a large wildfire on the Suffolk coast have said the incident has stabilised overnight, but warned that the area remains at high risk of fresh outbreaks. The fire began at RSPB Minsmere and spread onto adjoining heathland at Dunwich Heath, close to Leiston and a few miles from the Sizewell B nuclear power station.
Scale of the fire and response
More than a hundred firefighters have been deployed, supported by specialist resources including a helicopter that dropped thousands of litres of seawater on the blaze. Officials say several fire fronts continue to be monitored and managed as weather and wind conditions evolve.
- Area affected: reports put the damage at between 150 hectares and an area described as the equivalent of around 210 football pitches.
- Firefighting resources: over 100 firefighters and at least 18 fire engines were reported on scene.
- Evacuations: around 50 people were moved from homes and a holiday park; some holidaymakers fled the area.
| Item | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| Area affected | 150 hectares / ~140–210 football pitches (reported figures) |
| Fire engines | 18 |
| Firefighters | More than 100 |
| Evacuated residents | Around 50 |
Officials monitoring wind and risk of reignition
Deputy chief fire officer Henry Griffin said crews were actively monitoring wind speed and direction to guard against the blaze re-igniting. He stressed that while the situation had stabilised, it was not yet fully under control.
“We have a couple of fire fronts we are actively monitoring... Due to the scale and unpredictable nature of the wind direction I wouldn’t say it is under control, it’s certainly stabilised and we have plans in place to mitigate.”
Mr Griffin also paid tribute to the crews at the scene and said welfare of firefighters was being prioritised so people could be returned to their belongings and vehicles where safe to do so.
Investigation under way and proximity to nuclear sites
Authorities have opened an investigation into how the blaze started at RSPB Minsmere and spread across the heath. The fire is a few miles from the Sizewell B power station and the construction site for Sizewell C; emergency services have indicated there is no concern about the fire spreading to the nuclear site.
Local residents and visitors were urged to follow instructions from emergency services. Recovery operations and continued monitoring are expected while crews work to prevent further spread and to assess the full environmental impact on the nature reserve and surrounding heathland.
Further updates will be issued by Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service and local authorities as the investigation progresses and the situation evolves.
