Major fire near Suffolk nuclear plant grows as wind makes spread 'difficult to predict'
More than 100 firefighters and a water-dropping helicopter battled the blaze as residents evacuated and officials monitored nearby nuclear sites.
- On Wednesday, a fast-moving wildfire erupted at Dunwich Heath, spreading across approximately 150 hectares as the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident requiring more than 100 firefighters and water-dropping helicopters.
- Extreme drought fueled the blaze, with the Met Office reporting Suffolk received just 2% of its average July rainfall; the council had rescinded its climate emergency declaration less than two weeks earlier, though officials maintain no evidence links the policy shift to the fire's ignition.
- Officials confirmed the nearby Sizewell B nuclear power station remains at no risk, while emergency crews evacuated approximately 50 residents and holidaymakers; the fire damaged rare coastal heathland supporting nightjars, nightingales and Dartford warblers.
- More than 100 firefighters and water-dropping helicopters continue battling the blaze, with Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit official Freddie Gulliver stating, "Good progress is being made," though the response is expected to continue for at least 48 hours.
- Conservationists warn the full ecological toll remains unclear until teams safely inspect burned land, while RSPB area manager Adam Rowlands described the fire as "apocalyptic," with a 20ft fireball moving through trees as birds attempted to escape.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Evening Standard
The Independent (US)Firefighters in ‘better position’ as they tackle Suffolk wildfire for third day
The fire is a few miles away from Sizewell B and the construction site for the new Sizewell C.
Braintree & Witham Times
Essex fire crews called to wildfire the size of 210 football pitches in Suffolk
Fire crews from Wethersfield were sent to to help Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service tackle a huge blaze at Dunwich Heath and RSPB Minsmere.
Suffolk wildfire 'stabilising' after hours of battling blaze near nuclear plant
The Suffolk wildfire is "stabilising" after emergency services battled the blaze near a nuclear plant. Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has said it is in a "better position" for tackling the blaze in Dunwich Heath, near Leiston, which has been burning since Wednesday evening. The fire is located a few miles from Sizewell B nuclear power station and the construction site for the new Sizewell C site, but the authorities have assured there is no con…
Suffolk Scrapped Climate Emergency Declaration Two Weeks Before 'Apocalyptic' Wildfire Hit
Suffolk County Council scrapped its climate emergency declaration less than two weeks before a major wildfire tore across Dunwich Heath, forcing evacuations and destroying nationally important wildlife habitat. Councillors voted on 16 July to rescind the declaration originally adopted in 2019. Thirteen days later, a fast-moving fire erupted on the Suffolk coast amid drought conditions, spreading across approximately 150 hectares—an area equivale…
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