Image source, PA Media

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service says it expects fire crews to stay at the scene of the Dunwich Heath wildfire for the next two or three days.

Four days after a blaze broke out at RSPB Minsmere, which backs on to the heath, the situation is now stable but the full picture is only just emerging.

The National Trust says the fire has wiped out the habitat of some of the UK's rarest species after affecting an area the equivalent of 210 football pitches.

The charity has launched a fundraiser in hopes of one day restoring the much-loved landscape, but warns it will take time - and volunteers. It also says nature will need to be helped "adapt to new conditions" as the climate changes.

RSPB's area manager in Suffolk, Adam Rowlands, tells the BBC it could take 25 years for the local habitats to recover.

"The acrid smell, it's not just smoke, you have a sense that animals have perished in the flames," he says.

Normal life is resuming in the area, with locals today attending a scheduled market in Westleton while some of the holidaymakers forced to evacuate at the height of the fire start making their way home.

Barbara Buckley, the chairman of Westleton Village Hall trustees, says she was "incredibly touched" by the response to the fires, adding that the hall will join fundraising efforts to help restore the heat.

Meanwhile, Green Party members at Suffolk County Council have called for the climate emergency declaration to be reinstated following the wildfire, saying that the blaze "makes it abundantly clear that Suffolk, like the rest of the world, is indeed experiencing a climate emergency".

We'll be ending our coverage of the Dunwich Heath fire shortly but you can read the latest updates on the BBC News website.

Image source, Keith Mindham

The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, The Right Reverend Dr Joanne Grenfell, says she is holding all those affected at Dunwich Heath in her prayers.

"As firefighters continue to respond to the emergency, I pray for the safety, strength and wellbeing of everyone involved," she says.

“I would also like to express my deep gratitude to Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, whose crews have been working tirelessly in extremely challenging conditions, alongside other emergency services and partner agencies.

“Their professionalism, courage and commitment to protecting lives, homes and the natural environment have been remarkable."

She also thanks local farmers, landowners and volunteers who have stepped forward to help in the response.

Andy Elliot, a wildfire consultant, told the BBC that conditions across much of the UK were "very challenging" .

He said previously wildfires were largely seen in the spring, but now are moving more into the summer and autumn months.

Grassland was more at risk in the summer and the dry, brown grass would burn with "high intensity", he said.

"The conditions we're seeing now and are likely to see in the future, the risk to human life increases all the time."

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Jill Bennett/BBC

Suffolk's Lord-Lieutenant says the "professionalism, courage and determination" of the county's firefighters has "been nothing short of remarkable".

Mark Pendlington has been paying tribute to the people of Westleton for opening their doors to strangers and neighbours, as well as council officials and staff from the National Trust and RSPB for the way they are working together.

The King's representative in the county says: "Over the past few days, Suffolk has witnessed the very best of public service, partnership and community spirit in response to the devastating fire at Dunwich Heath.

"Suffolk owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to everyone who has played a part in protecting people, property and one of our most treasured landscapes."

Image source, Pro Corda

Primary school age children from countries including Hong Kong, Singapore and Germany taking part in an international music summer school had to find new accommodation as a result of the blaze.

The course is run by charity Pro Corda and was in the grounds of Leiston Abbey, about three miles from the wildfire.

On Thursday morning, course organiser Annabel Thwaite was alarmed by the sight of smoke and rang the emergency services, who advised her to evacuate to a safer area.

"My phone was blowing up with worried calls from parents - some of these kids have never been away from home before," she says.

Local boarding school Framlingham College came to their rescue, offering them accommodation.

Miranda Johnson, the chief executive of Pro Corda, says she is "overwhelmed" by the generosity of the school's staff.

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

More volunteers will be needed to help respond to Dunwich's recovery in the future - but not yet, the National Trust has said.

A spokesperson explains: "It may take us a little time to assess the site and make plans, to know what support we need."

The charity owns the heath and the fire has wiped out the habitat of some of the country’s rarest species and ruined a much-loved landscape.

It has launched an emergency fundraising appeal.

"People’s safety remains our priority at this time," the spokesperson said.

"Following advice from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, we are asking people to please stay away from the area in order to help fire crews with their response. Roads and footpaths in the area are currently closed."

Image source, Jamie Niblock/BBC

"I thought it would be a good thing for people to be able to chat about things that aren't about the fire. Making teas, making coffees and providing food, so that's why we went ahead with our market today," says Barbara Buckley, the chairman of Westleton Village Hall trustees.

She says villagers are genuinely shocked about what has happened to the much-loved common, but after a turbulent few days, the village hall is buzzing with more stalls than usual.

"I've been incredibly touched by the amount of people that have donated money directly to us," she adds.

"For an example, Ipswich Building Society have given us a large cash donation spontaneously and lots and lots of people have given us cash which is absolutely fantastic because obviously we require money to keep going."

The trustees also plan to do a fundraiser for the National Trust, which yesterday launched an emergency appeal to restore Dunwich Heath.

Image source, Jamie Niblock/BBC

A trio of friends who were camping at Cliff House caravan site ended up sleeping in their car on Wednesday night.

"We were told to go to their sister site, Hollies, but there was no accommodation," says Lynne Sawyer.

"So we ended up sleeping in the car and I've only got a VW Golf, so that was quite a challenge - we didn't get much sleep."

Sawyer, Debbie Saxby and Carol Alder were enjoying a week's holiday in Suffolk, visiting from Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire, when they were evacuated from Cliff House at 21:30 BST.

They had to leave their tent behind because it would have taken too long to take down, Sawyer explains. They are hoping to collect it soon.

The women did not let that put them off enjoying their holiday, booking into a hotel in Southwold and staying in Beccles last night.

And they praised the staff at Hollies campsite who gave them breakfast the next day.

Image source, Rapid Relief Team UK

Volunteers have been applauded for helping out both the firefighters at the scene and those displaced from their homes and holiday accommodation.

Rapid Relief Team UK, external are among those who have stepped in to help.

The charity's volunteers from Lowestoft and Aldeburgh have been providing refreshments and burgers to "support crews as they carry out their vital work".

Image source, Jamie Niblock/BBC

Westleton Village Hall continues to be an information centre for people affected by the fire, but that has not stopped its monthly market going ahead.

"I think it was absolutely right that the event went ahead - people have been so used to coming together as a community, it would have been quite a shock not to be coming to the village hall today," says resident Gill Wood, who moved to the village from Essex about 12 years ago.

"You can't let things just stop and stand still, you always have to move on."

But residents were feeling "quite tired because it has been an intense two days", she added.

She said: "Everybody had to pull together and that was a great feeling of wellbeing for everybody, because they could just do something useful and have a real sense of purpose.

"But people move here because they love the environment all around and they love the area, so people were really upset with that."

George King
at Westleton

I'm currently at Westleton Village Hall, which is normally a community hub that hosts local events and charity meetings.

But for three days this week it became the centre of the humanitarian response to a devastating wildfire which ripped through heathland three and a half miles away on the Suffolk Coast.

Journalists and displaced tourists and residents have all come to the centre.

The fire forced up to 150 people – including holidaymakers in nearby caravan parks - away from the area. Some left on their own accord. Others had to be evacuated. Some of them have since been allowed to collect their belongings and return home.

Image source, George King/BBC

But following a week in which many lives were upended, how does a village like Westleton bounce back?

Quite simply, by coming together as a community to host a local market.

The people gathered here are in good spirits, despite what has been a turbulent week. They are smiling, laughing, and just generally being pleasant and accommodating.

Earlier in the week there were doubts over whether this week’s event would be able to go ahead, but it has.

There are also people here giving out information to those who still need it.

Image source, Simon Dedman/BBC

In neighbouring Essex, the fire service says it received 2,029 emergency 999 calls in the week to Thursday - one of its busiest ever weeks.

Firefighters were sent to 570 separate incidents, including a huge fire in Colchester and a fertiliser explosion near Chelmsford.

"It's fair to say that it's been a challenge," said the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service area manager Dave Bond.

The fire service is reiterating calls for people not to ignite fireworks, bonfires and disposable barbecues.

Image source, Laura Foster/BBC

Suffolk is not alone when it comes to wildfires rapidly spreading.

In Colchester, in neighbouring Essex, about 50 firefighters tackled a blaze on Friday at the Middlewick Ranges near Colchester, which is home to nightingales and other wildlife.

And elsewhere, crews in Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Cheshire, London, North Wales, Yorkshire, County Durham and Darlington, Berkshire, Leicestershire, Bedfordshire, Greater Manchester, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Humberside, Dorset and Wiltshire, Devon and Somerset, Nottinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Kent, Merseyside, West Sussex, Surrey, and Norfolk have all reported dealing with fires in the open.

The fire service is thanking the many volunteers who have stepped in to help firefighters, residents and holiday makers.

• The British Red Cross served 175 meals last night and is providing welfare supplies
• The Reactive Emergency Assessment Community Team (REACT) is helping to secure accommodation
• The British Red Cross Norfolk team has delivered towels to support those affected
• Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue (SuLSaR) is supporting firefighters with drone imagery
• And the Salvation Army is providing on-site welfare and catering

"Westleton Village Hall is open as an information centre," the Suffolk Fire and Rescue spokesperson says.

"East Suffolk Council officers are on site and available to provide welfare support."

Image source, Salvation Army

We've just heard from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, who say ten fire appliances are currently on site, which is two more than overnight.

A spokesperson says the situation remains stable. Firefighters are expected to remain at the scene for the next two to three days.

A spokesperson said: "Ten fire appliances are currently deployed, and there are no current concerns for Dunwich.

"Helicopter support has been requested to assist the ongoing response."

Image source, Reuters

A wildlife photographer who moved to Dunwich Heath specifically to photograph the amazing nature says the scale of the wildfire devastation "was just devastating to see".

Jon Evans, who now lives in nearby Leiston, rented one of the Coastguard Cottages from 2016 to 2021, volunteering with RSPB Minsmere and the National Trust at Dunwich Heath.

"It's amazing how the cottages have survived - I really don't know how they managed that - but everything around the cottages has just gone, everything, the whole heath scorched completely," he says.

"Just to see it all up in smoke is heart-wrenching."

He adds he is very worried about the impact on chicks belonging to ground-nesting birds such as stone curlews and woodlark.

Image source, George King

Image source, Shaun Whitmore/BBC

In July 2022, dozens of people were left homeless when a fire in a field spread to homes in Ashill, near Watton in Norfolk.

"I went upstairs to look out the bathroom window and I could see flames in the field," says Eleanor Taylor.

"We got my husband, the dogs, next door's dogs and cats, got them all in the car and we just moved out."

The couple were out of their home for months while it was repaired, but Taylor's daughters' property and childminding business were burnt down.

Image source, Shaun Whitmore/BBC

Looking back, Taylor counts herself "very, very lucky" and says the way the whole village pulled together was "unbelievable".

Should anything of this scale happen in Ashill again, a co-ordinator and band of volunteers are across an emergency plan, which was drawn up by the parish council after the fire.

"You look at things on the television with these fires now and you think 'I know just how these poor people feel'," she says.

"But if they've got the right attitude and mentality, they will get through it."

Image source, Shaun Whitmore/BBC

Image source, Liz Quickenden

Sizewell B nuclear power station is about three miles (5km) from the site of the fire.

An EDF spokesperson said on Friday evening: "The fire at Dunwich Heath is not currently affecting operations at Sizewell B power station but we are continuing to closely monitor the situation.

"We are not on high alert."

Sizewell C power plant is not yet operational and is under construction, but sits further down the coast from the Dunwich Heath fire.

Managers said earlier this week they were "closely monitoring" the situation but added at the time "it currently poses a low risk to Sizewell C".

Matt Wilson, the National Trust's countryside manager for Suffolk and Essex, says: "Dunwich is a special place, a special place for lots of people, partly where it sits in the coastal landscape, partly because what it's surrounded by.

"We have the RSPB Minsmere next door, we have Natural England Western Heath just up the road, we have Dunwich forest and into dingle marshes.

"It's this huge landscape of wildlife habitat and natural biodiversity.

"Dunwich is part of the heart of that and it is important locally and nationally - and that's been severely impacted now."

Thousands of litres of seawater have been dropped on to the burning landscape by a fire-fighting helicopter, in an attempt to help the firefighters contain the fire.

The aircraft was organised by the National Trust.

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock