People have been advised to avoid Dunwich Heath due to unstable ground and unexploded World War Two ordnance revealed by a wildfire. The fire, which has now been stood down as a major incident, engulfed an area the size of 210 football pitches across the National Trust site in Suffolk and the neighbouring RSPB Minsmere reserve.
The National Trust stated that parts of the fire ground remain inaccessible, making it difficult to map and record hazards. Coastal winds are reportedly stirring up ash and debris, while rabbit burrows and warrens have retained significant heat, and trees with burnt root systems are vulnerable to collapse.
Unexploded ordnance from Operation Kruschen during World War Two has been exposed by the fire. Specialist teams have already made some of this ordnance safe, but the National Trust indicated that more could be present. Work to assess the full site is currently underway and is expected to take several weeks.
Russell Clement, general manager for the National Trust, thanked fire services and urged the public to stay away from the reserve to assist with recovery efforts. RSPB Minsmere reopened on Tuesday, though some parts of its site remain inaccessible.