Summary

  • More firefighters have been deployed in an attempt to contain a large wildfire that broke out on Dunwich Heath in Suffolk on Wednesday - watch aerial footage above

  • A major incident has been declared "due to the size and complexity" of the blaze - now about the size of 140 football pitches - with the RSPB saying it could take 25 years for the heathland to recover

  • Homes and 200 caravans have been evacuated, with Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service saying no injuries have been reported so far

  • The fire is not affecting Sizewell B, a nuclear power station about four miles (6.4km) from the heath, EDF says - but adds it is "closely monitoring the situation"

  • Justin North, who was staying at a holiday cottage in the area, told the BBC he was woken up by a "hammering" on the door last night and told to evacuate immediately - another holidaymaker says he saw the smoke get "worse and worse"

  • The blaze comes as the Environment Agency announced that half of England, including Suffolk, is officially in drought

Have you been affected?

Live Reporting

Edited by Peter Walker with writing by Rachael McMenemy and Alice Cunningham, and reporters at the scene

  1. 'It's an absolutely heartbreaking situation'

    James Kelly
    BBC News

    Smoke fills the evening sky with trees in the backgroundCandida Cook

    Candida, from Flamlingham, Suffolk, had noticed a burning smell during a beachside walk earlier in the day

    Candida Cook was evacuated from Cliff House Holiday Park last night as the Dunwich Heath wildfire spread.

    Earlier in the day, she noticed a burning smell during a beachside walk but couldn't see any smoke and wasn't sure where it was coming from.

    "We were left wondering if, and how, we could have reported the smell of smoke in the morning, and, more worryingly, whether it would have made a difference," she told the BBC.

    "The park, campers and organisers were impressively calm throughout and kept everyone in the cabins well informed. It's an absolutely heartbreaking situation."

  2. Support needed, says fire chief

    Speaking to the BBC earlier, Jon Lacey explained why extra firefighters and resources were needed from elsewhere in the UK.

    "A fire of this scale - it starts to eat up fire resources within Suffolk and we need to maintain business as usual for other kinds of incidents that occur and we're unable to do that at the moment satisfactorily."

    Jon Lacey stands in front of a red background with the yellow Suffolk fire and rescue badge on it. He is wearing a white shirt and black tie.Suffolk County Council
    The backs of people's heads sitting on rows of blue chairs, in a hall. At the front is a man in white fire officer uniform.Vikki Irwin/BBC

  3. National Trust 'heartbroken'

    Russell Clement, general manager for the National Trust on the Suffolk coast, says the fire spread across Dunwich Heath due to a change in wind conditions overnight.

    He say: "Sadly, the picture that's emerging is that the landscape has been significantly damaged, which will also have a knock-on impact on the wildlife that call Dunwich home.

    "This is obviously heartbreaking news, as so many people will have fond memories of this precious landscape, which is normally covered in purple heather at this time of year."

    Smoke rises from a wildfire at Dunwich Heath, near Leiston.PA Media

  4. Hot dogs and cold drinks

    A red Salvation Army Emergency Response Vehicle. A man is leaning over it open hatch passing drinks to two firefighters. They are leaning up to receive them.Salvation Army

    The devastating fire has been bringing out the best in local people.

    The Salvation Army emergency response vehicle was first called at about 19:00 BST and stayed on site until 02:30. It was called again at about 06:00.

    Tom Stokes, a volunteer for the charity, says the team has been giving out hot dogs, sandwiches and drinks to the firefighters, from its mobile canteen.

    He lives in Stowmarket and arrived at about 08:15 today, joined by up to 20 fellow volunteers. He expects to remain there until teatime.

    "We've served about 120 people and are still going strong," he says.

    "Everyone's really thankful for us for turning up as we're getting a lot of joy out of that - and chatting to them to break up their day."

  5. Nearby caravan park fully evacuated

    Liz Hatten, the manager of the caravan park Dunwich Cliffs Estate in the area, says on Wednesday night she received a message from the park's wardens with reports of smoke before they were told to evacuate.

    She says about 50% of their 137 caravans were occupied and visitors were sent to Westleton.

    It has been "terrifying" for all of them as the park is surrounded by heathland, she explains.

    "We're still on full alert," says Hatten.

    "We've asked if we could go back there to pick up medicines and they've said absolutely not.

    "Just past us is the National Trust land and that's where the fire is at the moment.

    "The wind is in the right direction and it's blowing everything away from us."

    Hattens adds that she has seen local farmers at the scene helping to make fire breaks and local roads have been shut.

  6. Pictures show challenge facing firefighters

    Images coming in today and overnight show the scale of the raging Suffolk wildfire - officials say it is now burning an area the size of 140 football pitches.

    Smoke rises from a wildfire at Dunwich HeathPA Media
    Screen grab taken from video provided by Ryan Lovejoy of the wildfire at Dunwich HeathPA Media
    Dry grass and green bushes are in the foreground. Three firefighters wearing brown and yellow uniforms stand near smoke billowing into the skySuffolk Fire and Rescue Service

  7. Fire crews 'tired and worn out'

    Lacey says national help is being requested as Suffolk crews are "tired and worn out" after about 20 hours spent tackling this blaze.

    Those gathered in the hall erupted into applause to show their appreciation for the firefighters.

    Dozens of people sit in seats in a town hall. A camera operator wear a black T-shirt and pointing a camera is to the left.Vikki Irwin/BBC

  8. Fire service requests national help

    Chief fire officer Jon Lacey is talking to those affected by the blaze at Westleton Village Hall.

    He says the fire is "still challenging" and "national assets" have been requested to help.

    Local authorities, including Suffolk County Council, will provide help to those evacuated, he tells them.

  9. 'It just got worse and worse'

    Rozina Sini

    In the foreground is heathland grass, and in the distance is billowing white smoke, against a blue sky.Kevin Maginnis

    I've just spoken to Kevin Maginnis from London.

    He was staying in a caravan with his family and pets at the Dunwich Cliffs Estate and had to be evacuated last night.

    He says he saw the smoke and "it just got worse and worse". Then, at 23:00, they were told to evacuate.

    "Luckily we had friends in Southwold so we all decamped and headed there for the night," he says.

    Maginnis and his family drove back to London this morning, but say they will eventually have to return to the caravan to close it down and remove the food inside.

    "I am hoping that the caravan will be OK," he says. "It will be quite devastating if not."

    Your Voice banner

  10. Fire service to provide update

    John Lacey, the chief fire officer, is expected to give an update to those evacuated at Westleton Village Hall shortly.

    The village hall is being used as a relief centre for people who have been evacuated from homes and caravans.

  11. Fire not affecting Sizewell B

    As for Sizewell B, which is operational, managers have made efforts to reassure the public.

    A spokesperson for EDF confirms the fire is "not affecting operations" and they are "closely monitoring the situation".

    It is understood Sizewell B, located near Dunwich Heath, has an emergency plan in place that covers a range of scenarios - including in the event of a fire at the site.

    Liz Quickenden sent us this picture from Wednesday evening, showing white billowing smoke in the distance.

    She describes the effect of the blaze on wildlife as "unbelievably sad".

    A stony beach in the foreground, and the white dome of a power plant to the left. In the distance, white smoke billows towards the sea, which is to the right of the frame.Liz Quickenden

    EDF says the fire is not affecting operations at Sizewell B (pictured to the left)

  12. Fire poses 'low risk' to Sizewell C

    White smoke billows behind a scene of cranes, and a stone beach is in the foreground.Liz Quickenden

    On Wednesday evening, smoke could be seen billowing from beyond the construction of Sizewell C - but from several miles away

    Sizewell C says the fire is currently posing a "low risk" to its site due to the distance and the watercourses in between.

    The nuclear power station is currently being built and expected to be operational in the mid to late 2030s.

    It is separate to Sizewell B, which is operational.

    "We are closely monitoring the fire at Dunwich Heath," they explain.

    "Our sites and offices remain open and operating as normal.

    "We are continuously assessing smoke conditions and any impacts on the road network to help keep people safe and ensure emergency services have priority access."

    Its teams are ready to work with the community, emergency services and local councils, they add.

  13. Change of wind direction spared village

    A view from above of two firefighters, in black and brown uniform, aiming hoses at the flames which spread on heathland. White smoke billows into the air.Ryan Lovejoy

    Ryan Lovejoy, a local filmmaker who took drone footage of the fire, says it has been "terrifying" to witness.

    "I've never seen anything like this here before," he says.

    Lovejoy was having dinner in nearby Southwold on the Suffolk coast and saw smoke in the distance. He says he initially put a drone up to see where the fire was as he lives in Dunwich.

    He has been working with Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service to help them assess which direction the flames are spreading.

    At one point the fire was heading straight for Dunwich, he explains, getting within 0.7 miles (1.2km), before a change of wind direction appeared to steer it away.

    It is currently heading towards the sea.

    A bird's eye view of flames burning through the trees.Ryan Lovejoy

  14. Now 100 firefighters attending

    Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service say the blaze is still not under control.

    There are now 100 firefighters and 18 fire engines at the scene.

    Two red and yellow fire engines are on a unmade track of byway, with bushes either side, and there are red flames in the background.PA Media

  15. Local pub forced to close

    The red brick exterior of a village pub where bunting has been placed across its front. It is two-storey, and there are cars parked outside. There is blue sky and white clouds above.Google

    The Ship pub in Dunwich says it has closed to "ensure team and guest safety".

    "Our guests have been contacted directly," they say in a statement.

    They thank people for their patience and send their thoughts to those tackling the fire.

  16. Wildlife trust urges vigilance

    Suffolk Wildlife Trust says it is "heartbreaking" to see the fire at Dunwich Heath "destroying precious wildlife habitats and causing distress and disruption for local communities".

    "Suffolk is officially in drought, and nature reserves are particularly vulnerable to wildfires due to the exceptionally dry vegetation," they add.

    The spokesperson says its nearby Dingle Marshes reserve was unaffected, but that people should "remain vigilant".

    People should not light BBQs, cigarette butts and should not litter in these areas, they continue.

    "We're thinking of the brave fire crews, the local communities, and the local wildlife."

    A bird's eye view of white smoke billowing from green trees, with dry brown fields in the foreground.PA Media

  17. MP 'deeply conscious' of farmer impact

    Patrick Spencer wears a navy suit and stands in front of a plain background. He is smiling directly at the camera and is wearing large black-rimmed glasses.PA Media

    The MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, Patrick Spencer, describes the fire as an "extremely worrying situation".

    He thanks the fire service and other emergency teams for their work during "incredibly challenging conditions to keep people safe, and protect homes and property".

    "My priority is making sure that everyone affected receives the information and assistance they need while the emergency response continues," he adds.

    "I am also deeply conscious of the impact on our farming community.

    "At such a critical point in the year, with harvest under way or about to begin for many, this is an especially difficult time for farmers whose land, livestock, or livelihoods are at risk."

  18. Holiday park evacuated and all safe

    An entrance and road into a holiday park. There is a lone house on the side with various entry signs.Google

    Louise Eagle, general manager at Cliff House Holiday Park which is located near Dunwich Heath, says 100 of its onsite lodges were evacuated last night.

    As well as this, visitors in tents and campervans were also evacuated with all accounted for and everyone confirmed safe.

    She says it is a "shocking scenario" and she "really feels" for all those involved.

  19. First look at devastation caused by Suffolk wildfire

    Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has posted footage of the devastation caused by the wildfire.

    "Crews continue to work tirelessly as the response to this major incident continues," it said.

  20. Fire now the size of 140 football pitches

    Suffolk County Council says the fire now covers 247.1 acres (100 hectares) - equivalent to about 140 football pitches.

    This morning, the fire service told the BBC that about 24.7 acres was on fire.