A major incident has been declared on the Suffolk coast as 90 firefighters continue to battle a significant wildfire across Dunwich Heath, forcing the evacuation of several people.

Crews from Suffolk fire and rescue service were called to reports of the blaze shortly after 5.30pm on Wednesday and remained on scene on Thursday morning, tackling the "large-scale, wind-driven" fire.

Firefighters remained on scene on Thursday morning, tackling the 'large-scale, wind-driven' blaze.

Residents Advised Amid Firefighting Efforts

The extensive fire, located near Leiston, has led to advice for local residents to keep their doors and windows shut as smoke drifts from the heathland. While Leiston is approximately 5 kilometres from the Sizewell B power station, firefighters have stated there is no immediate threat to the facility.

The scale of the incident prompted the declaration of a major incident, a protocol used for serious events requiring significant multi-agency coordination.

dunwich heathland wildfire smoke

Heathland Vulnerability to Wildfires

Heathlands, characterised by their dry, often sandy soils and dense vegetation, are particularly vulnerable to wildfires, especially during periods of dry weather and strong winds. Such conditions can rapidly spread blazes, making them challenging for emergency services to contain.

The UK has experienced an increasing number of wildfires in recent years, a trend often linked to hotter and drier summer conditions exacerbated by climate change.

Firefighters are expected to remain at Dunwich Heath for an extended period to fully extinguish the blaze and prevent any further reignition.