Overview
- The wildfire began around 5:30pm on Wednesday, July 29, and has spread across roughly 100 hectares, with some reports equating the area to about 210 football pitches.
- Suffolk Fire and Rescue declared a major incident and deployed sustained mutual aid from brigades nationwide, with roughly 90–120 firefighters, up to 18 engines at peak, helicopters for water drops, drones and specialist vehicles.
- Emergency teams evacuated around 200 caravans and nearby properties to a rest centre at Westleton Village Hall and later carried out escorted returns; officials say no properties were lost and no injuries have been reported.
- Sizewell B and the Sizewell C site were put on alert and remain under close monitoring, with site and local emergency planners reporting a low current risk to plant operations.
- Conservation bodies say the fire has caused severe, long-term damage to RSPB Minsmere and Dunwich Heath habitat, recovery could take five to 25 years, and the incident highlights how drought and repeated heatwaves are stretching national wildfire resources.