A large wildfire has swept through Dunwich Heath, a coastal nature area in Suffolk, causing extensive damage to the landscape and prompting a significant evacuation and firefighting effort. The fire, which began on the evening of Wednesday, July 30, has burned approximately 370 acres (around 150 hectares), an area equivalent to about 220 football pitches.
The blaze was first noticed near a woodland area close to a kissing gate, where local resident Charlotte Du Cann, 70, attempted to extinguish the initial flames alongside a friend before emergency services were contacted. She described the fire as escalating rapidly and fiercely, spreading from a small circle of about 20 feet across to engulf vast swathes of heather and heathland. Du Cann reported no clear cause for the fire at the ignition point, noting the absence of obvious sources such as discarded cigarettes or camping equipment.
Dunwich Heath, managed by the National Trust since 1968, has suffered severe destruction, with much of the landscape left burnt and smouldering. The National Trust has launched an appeal for donations to support restoration efforts. Director-general Hilary McGrady highlighted plans to not only rebuild but to enhance the site’s resilience to future climate conditions.
The wildfire posed a threat to nearby residential areas, including a cluster known as Coastguard Cottages, and came dangerously close to the Sizewell B nuclear power station. However, strong winds have been pushing the fire away from the plant, and the adjacent RSPB Minsmere nature reserve, with its marshes and waterways, helped act as a natural firebreak.
Authorities evacuated approximately 200 families, including residents and holidaymakers staying in caravans and lodges near the heath. Evacuees were relocated about two miles away to a temporary rescue centre at Westleton Village Hall. Some residents were permitted return visits under police escort to retrieve essential belongings once conditions allowed.
The firefighting operation engaged more than 100 personnel, supported by equipment including 4x4 vehicles, quad bikes, and helicopters dropping water buckets sourced partly from the sea. Firefighters from across several counties—London, Essex, Sussex, West Yorkshire, and local Suffolk crews—have coordinated the response. Additionally, local farmers contributed by transporting water using tractors and bowsers.
The fire comes amid a prolonged dry spell, with the UK’s Met Office reporting that July 2026 is on track to become the driest July on record. This dry climate has increased the risk and severity of wildfires across the region.
The RSPB expressed deep concern about the fire’s impact on the Minsmere reserve and its wildlife, warning that it could take up to 25 years for the area to recover from such extensive damage. The scale of the wildfire and its proximity to sensitive habitats and communities underscore ongoing challenges in managing natural landscapes under increasingly severe weather conditions. The fire is expected to be actively managed into the coming days as crews work to contain remaining hotspots and plan for the recovery phase.