Overview
- The blaze, which broke out on Wednesday, remains an active incident with Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service saying it has not been declared closed and crews are still on site.
- About 150 hectares of heathland at RSPB Minsmere and National Trust Dunwich Heath have been damaged, a loss that has destroyed habitat for rare species and altered large areas of the reserve.
- At the height of the response more than ten fire appliances were deployed and crews have used specialist vehicles, drone surveys, water supplied by local farmers and a firefighting helicopter to reach inaccessible areas.
- Roads around Dunwich Heath remain fully or partly closed, residents and visitors are asked to avoid the area, and those affected by smoke have been advised to keep windows and doors closed.
- An investigation into the cause is under way and the fire service says teams will stay until hotspots are extinguished because forecast hotter weather could increase the risk of flare-ups.