Today (Wednesday 5 August 2026) marks one week since Suffolk's largest wildfire response began at Dunwich Heath.
Fire crews remain on scene around the clock, tackling small outbreaks and monitoring conditions. The incident remains classified as a Major Incident, although the situation is stable and the affected area is surrounded.
Members of the public must continue to stay away from the area to enable emergency services to continue their work.
At 4.49pm on Wednesday 29 July, Suffolk Fire Control received its first call reporting a fire at RSPB Minsmere.
The first crews on scene reported an area measuring approximately 150 metres by 50 metres that was well alight, with difficult access conditions and winds driving a rapidly spreading fire.
Today, seven days later, 370 acres of heathland and woodland have been affected by fire.
The fire took hold at a ferocious pace due to a combination of hot weather, prolonged dry conditions and changing winds.
The nature of the landscape has also created significant challenges for firefighters. Oil-rich roots and vegetation burn readily and are deep-seated, while underground animal burrows allow fire to travel unseen beneath the surface and re-emerge unexpectedly - making ongoing monitoring and firefighting activity essential.
Jon Lacey, Chief Fire Officer of Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“This continues to be an unprecedented incident for Suffolk, but it has also been an event on a national scale.
“We have received expert advice, specialist equipment and support from 18 fire and rescue services across the country. Crucially, those additional crews have enabled firefighters to continue operating safely, providing support, resilience and much-needed opportunities for rest during what is an extended and exhausting operation.
“I know this incident would have been significantly worse were it not for the extraordinary efforts of each and every one of Suffolk’s 600 firefighters from our 35 stations, and the support of those crews from across the country - all supported by amazing voluntary organisations continuing to provide food and welfare.
“Beyond the frontline response, the work of our staff behind the scenes, such as in Fire Control, our operational support teams, and with the Suffolk Resilience Forum, has been unwavering throughout.
“But while significant progress has been made over the last seven days, this incident is not yet over.”
The Suffolk Resilience Forum brings together emergency services, local authorities, health partners and other organisations to prepare for and coordinate Suffolk's response to major incidents.
The Forum is supported by the Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit (JEPU), which helps partners plan and prepare for emergencies across the county.
Courtney Walsh, Head of the Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit, said:
“Over the past week, we have seen an enormous effort from organisations across Suffolk and beyond to support the response to this fire."
“As well as the firefighters working on the ground, councils, health services, voluntary organisations and many other partners have been working together behind the scenes to support affected residents, provide welfare assistance and ensure communities have the information they need."
“The teams from Suffolk Resilience Forum and Suffolk JEPU have played an important role in helping to coordinate that work, bringing around 30 organisations together and supporting the wider response throughout the incident."
“Major incidents like this require a huge team effort, and the cooperation between so many organisations has enabled support to be put in place quickly for those affected.
“We would also like to thank local residents, businesses and communities for their patience and understanding over the past week.”
Crews will remain on scene for as long as necessary, continuing to monitor conditions and respond to any fire activity that emerges.
