Unexploded WW2 bombs uncovered after Dunwich fire

People have been warned to stay away from Dunwich Heath due to unstable ground and unexploded World War Two ordnance uncovered by the devastating wildfire.

The heathland fire engulfed an area the size of 210 football pitches across the National Trust site in Suffolk and neighbouring RSPB Minsmere reserve.

On Monday it was stood down as a major incident - but a risk of further flare-ups remained, warned the conservation charity.

The National Trust said there are still parts of the fire ground that they have been unable to access to map and record hazards.

Coastal winds are stirring up ash and debris, rabbit burrows and warrens have retained significant heat and trees with burnt root systems are vulnerable to collapse, the National Trust said.

Parts of the landscape have been left unrecognisable, making it harder to navigate, and fires spread along cliffs putting their stability at risk and making the beach below unsafe.

Unexploded ordnance dating back to Operation Kruschen during World War Two has been exposed by the fire, the National Trust said.

Specialist teams have already made some safe but the trust said there could be more.

Russell Clement, general manager for the National Trust, praised all of Suffolk's 35 fire stations, the 18 fire services from around the country and others who "worked tirelessly to tackle this fire".

Work to assess the full site is under way and is likely to take some weeks, the charity said.

Mr Clement said the best way to help was "by staying away from the reserve".

"We know how important Dunwich Heath is to the local community and visitors alike, but we need to ensure it is safe before anyone returns," he said.

RSPB Minsmere reopened on Tuesday, with parts of the site inaccessible.

"We very much look forward to welcoming visitors back to Dunwich Heath, when it is safe to do so," Clement said.

He added that continued hot and dry weather retained the risk of more flare-ups for days and weeks ahead.

The National Trust encouraged people to visit Dunwich village and support local businesses while the reserve remained closed.

A fundraising appeal launched by the charity to support the heath's recovery has raised more than £600,000.

It is also asking people to sign a petition calling on the government to make climate resilience a national mission, invest in nature to reduce environmental risks and support fire services with the funding needed to prepare and respond to wildfires.

More stories on the Dunwich Heath wildfire:

• Will tourism suffer following devastating wildfire?
• Suffolk heathland fire stood down as major incident
• Volunteers say work to tackle fire 'relentless'

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