Major incident declared as firefighters tackle Suffolk coast wildfire at Dunwich Heath

A major incident has been declared as around 90 firefighters tackle a large heathland blaze on the Suffolk coast at Dunwich Heath, near Leiston

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A major incident has been declared as firefighters tackle a substantial heathland fire at a National Trust site on the Suffolk coast.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service responded to reports of a wildfire at Dunwich Heath, near Leiston, shortly after 5.30pm on Wednesday.

The blaze is moving south-west towards St James’ Church, off Westleton Road, the service confirmed, with a major incident declared “due to the size and complexity” of the fire.

In a subsequent update, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service station manager Dan Davis encouraged the public to stay away from the area where possible and keep windows and doors shut.

“Crews from Leiston attended the scene and were met with what is a large-scale, wind- driven forestry fire,” he said.

“The incident has subsequently been upgraded to a major incident.

“We currently have approximately 90 firefighters on scene working incredibly hard in arduous conditions to bring this fire under control.”

Mr Davis added: “I’d like to provide reassurance that we are going to remain on scene until we bring this fire under control.”

This comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber heat-health alert for the East Midlands, the East, South East and London.

The alert remains in force until 9am on Thursday, with the agency having previously cautioned that rising temperatures may pose increased health risks, especially for vulnerable groups. Meanwhile, in Scotland, emergency services reported they were making “significant progress” in controlling a wildfire in the Cairngorms which ignited a fortnight ago.

Several properties in the isolated area were evacuated as columns of smoke rose into the air, leaving extensive areas of woodland, heather and grassland scorched and blackened.

At the scene on Wednesday, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) deputy assistant chief officer Michael Humphreys informed the Press Association that firefighters are advancing in their efforts to contain the blaze.

Nevertheless, he cautioned that the danger of flare-ups continues to be substantial.

“It’s been an absolutely devastating fire for wildlife and for the local community who have come out in force to really support us, which we really do appreciate,” he said.

“To control this fire, what we’ve had to put in place is a significant number of fire breaks.”