Emergency services are continuing to tackle a wildfire that broke out on Dunwich Heath in Suffolk on Wednesday. As of 12pm on 30 July, the fire remains uncontrolled, according to Paul Ashton, deputy leader of East Suffolk Council.
Residents from nearby homes and a caravan park have been evacuated, with Mr Ashton stating that those who stayed in Westleton last night are unable to return for their possessions or cars. Reports suggest the scent of the fire is noticeable along the coast.
This incident follows a series of recent wildfires across the UK, including a large-scale fire in Wales declared a “major incident” earlier in July. Natural England has warned that parts of the UK, particularly southern England, face an ‘exceptional’ risk of ongoing fires.
According to Natural England's live Fire Severity Map, much of southern and eastern England is currently at a ‘very high’ risk of fires, with some areas occasionally reaching an ‘exceptional’ risk category. The Fire Severity Index assesses how severe a fire could become if one were to start, rather than the likelihood of it occurring.
While temperatures are forecast to cool slightly across much of the UK in the coming days, experts are mindful that further heatwaves could occur in August and September.