Suffolk Wildfire: Major Incident Declared, 90 Firefighters Deployed
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- Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident after crews were called to a wildfire at Dunwich Heath near Leiston shortly after 5:30pm Wednesday, with approximately 90 firefighters working in what station manager Dan Davis described as 'ardurous conditions' against a 'large-scale, wind-driven forestry fire.'
- Crews prioritised protecting nearby properties and prepared to potentially evacuate approximately 200 caravans at the Cliff House holiday park if conditions deteriorated; some people had already been evacuated, with displaced residents directed to Westleton Village Hall at 8am Thursday.
- The fire service confirmed there is no current risk to Sizewell B nuclear power station, located roughly 5km from the blaze, noting the fire is travelling easterly — away from the plant — in what it called a 'live and dynamic situation.'
- Specialist drones were deployed overnight to monitor fire behaviour and support operational decisions, alongside multipurpose all-wheel-drive Unimogs and 4x4 quad bikes.
- The UK Health Security Agency issued an amber heat-health alert covering the East Midlands, east and south-east England, and London, set to remain in place until 9am Thursday, warning that rising temperatures could increase health risks for vulnerable groups.
Why it matters: Approximately 200 caravans at the Cliff House holiday park face potential evacuation, and the fire's current easterly trajectory is the single factor keeping Sizewell B nuclear station out of danger — a wind shift would immediately alter the risk profile for both holiday park residents and the nuclear facility.
