Dunwich heathland fire stood down as major incident

After nearly two weeks, the major incident status of a large heathland fire in Suffolk has been officially stood down. The fire affected an area roughly equivalent to 210 football pitches, heavily impacting Dunwich Heath and nearby RSPB Minsmere. Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) made this decision following a thorough fire risk assessment, though they cautioned that the situation remains ongoing. Firefighters continue to work on dampening hotspots and monitoring the site to prevent further flare-ups, urging the public to avoid the area.

Jon Lacey, chief fire officer for the county, explained that the standing down of the major incident reflects the significant headway made by firefighting teams and supporting agencies. Despite scaling back the firefighting response from 17:00 BST, crews remain at Dunwich Heath for as long as necessary to ensure complete safety. Lacey emphasized the hidden threat posed by underground fires in this landscape, cautioning residents and visitors to keep away from the heath so that crews can operate safely.

At the peak of the blaze, assistance was mobilized nationally under a resilience program, bringing approximately 600 firefighters from all 35 of Suffolk’s fire stations to join the efforts. The fire chief expressed “enormous gratitude” for this widespread support in addressing what he called an “unprecedented” fire. Meanwhile, local council members highlighted that standing down from major incident status marks the start of a coordinated recovery process, which will be led by East Suffolk Council.

The fire, which began on 29 July, scorched about 150 hectares (371 acres) of heathland. It prompted evacuations from homes and a holiday caravan park due to safety concerns and threats to rare wildlife inhabiting the area. Despite extensive damage, surrounding communities including Dunwich village remain open. Roads affected by the fire, such as the route from Westleton to Dunwich, have been reopened. The National Trust has raised £350,000 toward restoring the treasured heath, an area of outstanding natural beauty, and the fire was halted before reaching historic landmarks like the Coastguard Cottages. However, with dry and hot weather continuing, fire services reminded the public to remain vigilant and avoid behaviors that could ignite new fires

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