Suffolk wildfire latest: Blaze spreads to size of 210 football pitches as nuclear power plant on alert

Suffolk wildfire latest: Blaze spreads to size of 210 football pitches as nuclear power plant on alert EDF nuclear plant chiefs monitor fire as flames rip through Dunwich Heath, reaching RSPB Minsmere - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments A “fast-moving” wildfire in Suffolk has spread to cover an area the size of 210 football pitches, according to fire chiefs, who expect to be tackling the blaze for another two days. 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 jane.dalton@independent.co.uk Fire engines being sent from London Fire 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 There 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 Villagers 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? Half 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 A 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 The 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 The 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 Firefighters 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 Drought 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 Suffolk 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.” Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments