Large firebreaks created to stop wildfire's spread

The creation of firebreaks, which are metres-wide strips of land cleared of trees and vegetation, have "really helped" stop the spread of a major wildfire in Suffolk, the fire service has said.

Firefighters remain at the scene at Dunwich after 371 acres of heathland (150 hectares) went up in flames on Wednesday.

Crews have stayed there over the weekend and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze remained "stable", but it was still a "live major incident".

Chief fire officer Jon Lacey said firebreaks had been made around the entirety of the affected site, to stop flames going any further.

He said the firebreaks were 15m (49ft) wide and they were created over the weekend through the use of bulldozers, and local farmers similarly helped with tractors.

He also thanked the local Sizewell nuclear plant for help providing vehicles.

At its height, the fire was at a size equivalent to 210 football pitches, affecting the National Trust's Dunwich Heath and nearby RSPB Minsmere.

This week, 10 fire appliances will remain at the scene in the day and reduce to six overnight. Crews are due to remain on site all week.

During a meeting of stakeholders earlier, it was told the temperature underground in some hot spots was about 600C (1,112F), and 60C (140F) on the surface.

Crews from Wiltshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire and London are also still assisting.

Lacey told BBC Radio Suffolk: "We still do see extreme heat underground from the original fire which continues to burn, so we're putting it upon our fire crews to check those hot spots and put water on them as and when we find them.

"We get the odd bit pop up, but it's under control at the moment.

"The firebreak has really helped, so thank you to all the plant teams that have come in, Sizewell B and C, and the assistance they provided to enable us to do that.

"We'll be on the scene for at least a week with significant resources to make sure that we attack those hot spots when they pop up."

He also urged the public to "remain vigilant" and avoid having barbecues, bonfires or throwing cigarettes on the ground.

Asked if investigations into the fire would begin soon, he added they would start but it was too early to know what sparked the blaze.

Andrew Turner, chair of Westleton Parish Council, explained that the authority had made its own firebreak years ago following a wildfire to safeguard the village.

"As a consequence of that, the parish council - which owns some land on a hill just bordering the village - did build our own firebreaks," he said.

"So the sense that fire is an increasing risk has been there. This has simply focused our minds even more because this was a much larger fire.

"Fortunately it was kept well away from us, but in different circumstances there may have been a different outcome."

More on the wildfire at Dunwich:

• Video captures extent of wildfire damage to heathland
• 'Signs of life' seen at site of heathland fire
• Heathland fire 'stable' and fundraiser set up

The fire also led to the evacuation of holiday sites such as Cliff House Holiday Park, which avoided damage.

Louise Eagle, its general manager, said the blaze had been "really upsetting".

On Friday, Eagle and Adam Burrows - head of maintenance at the park - helped holidaymakers collect their personal belongings through an escorted visit, so they could finally head home.

Burrows said the campsite now had an "eerie and quiet" feeling over it and he was focused on helping it eventually reopen.

"Our power is back on now, so all we can do is wait until the authorities tell us [we can go back], have a clear up, get people in, and just try the best that we can do to reopen."

There had been reports over the weekend that people had been travelling to Dunwich to look at the fire and surrounding scene.

The fire service said all roads and footpaths remained closed and people should stay away from the area.

Eagle said it was a "shame" and "really silly" to hear of people going against advice.

"People really need to listen to what's happening and give the fire service space to do everything in their power to save as much of the heath as possible," she added.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, MP for Suffolk Coastal, similarly encouraged people to stay away from the area.

"I do get on one hand why people are curious, and they want to see it, but it's incredibly unhelpful at the moment when people are gathering and heading there," she said.

Additional reporting by Wayne Bavin.

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