Suffolk wildfire burns for third day as firefighters douse homes in water and drop thousands of litres of seawater from helicopters - as experts warn 'area could take 25 years to recover'

Published: 10:33, 31 July 2026 | Updated: 10:59, 31 July 2026 A massive wildfire in Suffolk is burning for the third day in a row as dozens of farmers have joined emergency crews battling to contain the spread. Firefighters have been tackling the blaze in Dunwich Heath, near Leiston, since Wednesday evening, with hundreds of holidaymakers and scores of residents evacuated. The fire, which is now the size of 210 football pitches, is a few miles away from Sizewell B and the construction site for the new Sizewell C. However, authorities said there is no concern of the fire spreading towards the power station. Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said that 'crews and officers remained at the incident overnight' and that they 'maintained a watching brief during darkness'. It said late on Thursday the crews were in a 'better position' than a few hours earlier and the fire remained a 'dynamic incident' but appeared to be 'stabilising'. Fire crews from London, Essex and from as far as West Yorkshire have joined local firefighters and helicopters have been seen scooping up seawater as they battle to bring the wildfires under control. Dozens of farmers have joined efforts to slow the progress of the 'apocalyptic' fire with many using their tractors to transport water bowsers while offering their knowledge of field fires. Your browser does not support iframes. A helicopter drops water on the wildfire. It is understood the fire started on an RSPB wetland reserve with the cause of the 'apocalyptic' blaze not yet known Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze at Dunwich Heath, Suffolk covered around 24 acres, but today this had increased to the size of 210 football pitches Firefighters tackle the blaze at Dunwich Heath. Heroic stories are emerging of how dozens of farmers joined efforts to slow the progress of the fire Pictured: A tractor joins emergency vehicles to tackle the blaze in Suffolk. Dozens of farmers have joined efforts to slow the progress of the 'apocalyptic' fire Richard Negus, a hedgelayer, told the Daily Mail: 'We got contacted across Suffolk through the farm watch network to ask if we had water bowsers to help with the wildfire.'  'So farmers put their combine harvesters down and joined the efforts at Dunwich Heath. 'Farmers did what they do when we're asked to bring kit and they all rushed to the fire and the farmers managed to help get it under control.' He also claimed that one volunteer found 'remnants of an open fire'. Mr Negus said: '[The open fire] shows people aren't aware of the consequences of their activity. 'Our site team has been working alongside the emergency services, surveying the areas the fire has been through – it's complete devastation.' Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service also thanked the 'firefighters, specialist equipment and resources' that had been sent to work alongside its crews. 'We are incredibly grateful for the support they have provided during this challenging incident,' it said. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. 'We would also like to thank the many local businesses, farmers, volunteers, community groups and partner agencies who have stepped forward to help. Whether it's been donating food and drinks, lending equipment, providing practical support, or helping to look after those affected by the incident, people have gone above and beyond.' The blaze started on an RSPB wetland reserve before spreading on to the coastal heathland with the cause not yet known. Adam Rowlands, RSPB area manager in Suffolk, said: 'We know right across the heathland that risk is there at this time of year when the habitat is so dry [...] that first spark emerged from the RSPB land and that's devastating to know.' He also warned that it could take 25 years for the area around Dunwich Heath to recover. 'The problem is [the area] will look like a scene of devastation afterwards. All the vegetation will go and the majority of those birds will lose the places where they nest,' he told BBC News. Mr Rowlands added: 'Some of that habitat will take five, 10, 25 years to come back to what it looked like before the fire broke out yesterday afternoon.' National trust said that 'Total devastation' is the most likely outcome of the fire. Matt Wilson, the charity's countryside manager for Suffolk, said: 'The impact on this site in particular is looking to be fairly catastrophic, to be perfectly honest. A helicopter flies water collected from the sea to drop on the wildfire at Dunwich Heath, near Leiston, close to the Sizewell B. Fire crews warned that the blaze near the nuclear power plant was still a 'dynamic incident' An update from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service this morning said that 'crews and officers remained at the incident overnight' and that they 'maintained a watching brief during darkness' The fire in Suffolk is seen from a plane flying over the area yesterday morning  'The fire is estimated to be 150 hectares [371 acres], but the whole of Dunwich Heath owned by the National Trust is just over 100 hectares [247 acres]. 'So we're looking at total devastation across the National Trust site.' Meanwhile, residents and holidaymakers in Suffolk have been warned to keep their windows and doors closed due to the risk of heavy smoke and falling ash. Around 50 people have been evacuated from their homes and a local holiday park to Westleton, whose village hall now serves as a rest centre. Speaking to local media, Freddie Gulliver, from the Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit, said there is currently no concern of the fire spreading towards Sizewell B. Mr Gulliver also told journalists that the local community has been 'absolutely fantastic' in opening up their homes, adding only a few people will need to stay in the rest centre on Thursday night. He praised the local people that run the village hall, adding: 'They've been absolutely brilliant at looking after everyone, so I want to stress my thanks and gratitude to everyone involved.' Mr Gulliver added that the fire service is 'confident' it is tackling the blaze, including by filling trenches with water and dropping thousands of litres of seawater from helicopters. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the county's fire service will have 'all of the support' they need in tackling the blaze. Meanwhile, Green Party leader Zack Polanski called for Mr Burnham to host an emergency Cobra meeting to discuss the outbreak of wildfires in Britain, including in Suffolk. On Thursday afternoon, an EDF spokesperson gave reassurances that the fire was 'not affecting operations at Sizewell B power station'. The energy supplier said it was 'closely monitoring the situation' and it is understood Sizewell B has an emergency plan in place that covers a range of scenarios including a fire on site. Fire crews are seen battling a fire in Romford, east London, yesterday where around 30 acres of grassland were destroyed Suffolk County Council said Cliff House Holiday Park, containing some 200 caravans, had been completely evacuated as a precaution. Lisa Gordon, 54, on holiday with her husband and dog in their touring caravan, evacuated from Cliff House Holiday Park on Wednesday night. Mrs Gordon said: 'Just looking at the pictures… it's quite worrying how close it is to the park now. 'It's a car, it's a caravan, and it's insured but at the end of the day it's a lot of hassle, isn't it? 'They are things that can be replaced. But it's not the relaxing day we thought we'd be having.' She said that when she and her husband were told to leave the holiday park, they could see smoke behind the trees. Mrs Gordon added: 'It was only as we walked to reception to meet the police that all of a sudden it kind of hit us. 'So where we were it didn't seem too bad at all. We weren't really panicking at all. Your browser does not support iframes. 'But as we got to sort of the reception and the entrance, then the smoke hit and we had to drive with the police through quite a lot of smoke.' The fire service posted a video of damage caused by the blaze, with parts of RSPB Minsmere nature reserve, showing blackened trees and scorched ground. Fires have also been raging in east London – where around 30 acres of grassland were destroyed in a blaze in Romford on Thursday, and a further ten acres were damaged in Rainham. London Fire Brigade reported a second wildfire had broken out in Rainham in the afternoon, while a grass fire in Hornchurch burned across 15 acres. The fire is now under control, and its cause is currently under investigation. Today, another fire has broken out at Middlewick Ranges near Colchester in Essex. Firefighters are currently at the scene battling to bring the blaze under control.    The number of wildfire incidents recorded this year already matches the total annual figures seen in 2021, 2023 and 2024 combined. But the number is below the same point in 2025 when long-lasting drought and heat caused severe fire risk. Temperatures soared across parts of the UK on Wednesday, reaching into the 30s in some places as Britain baked in its fourth heatwave of a record-breaking summer. Suffolk has only received 2 per cent of its average monthly rainfall for July so far, according to the Met Office. The forecaster said on Thursday afternoon other counties have recorded as low as one per cent or zero per cent of average rainfall for July, with Friday being the last day of the month. Going into the weekend, temperatures will be cooler and closer to average for this time of year.