Like many people, I’ve been following the response to the wildfire at Dunwich Heath with great concern.
This terrible fire has demanded a huge effort from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, supported by fire and rescue services across the country. Nearly a week on, firefighters are still working to contain it. Our Chief Fire Officer, Jon Lacey, has described it as one of the largest fires he can remember in the history of Suffolk.
Much of the attention has rightly been on the emergency response. But alongside that, we have seen communities pull together. Businesses, farmers, volunteers, community groups and partner organisations have all stepped up to help.
The Crown pub delivered sandwiches for emergency responders. Waitrose and the Co-op donated food and supplies for evacuees. A local building society donated a substantial amount of money to Westleton Village Hall to cover the costs of supporting those affected by the incident.
Farmers have loaned equipment, shared knowledge of local water sources and used their machinery to help create fire breaks, helping firefighters slow the spread of the fire.
These are just some of the examples I am aware of. I know there will be many others.
Much of this support was coordinated around Westleton Village Hall, where the relief centre supported about 70 people affected by the incident.
Barbara Buckley, Chair of Westleton Village Hall, described dozens of people arriving with little idea of what would happen next. Some had pets with them, including many dogs and one cat. By midnight, everyone had somewhere to stay.
One woman from Essex who had been staying in a caravan locally said: “we were strangers when we met but now we are friends.” That says a lot about what we’ve seen over the last week.
When something like this happens, people don't wait to be asked. They get on with helping. They donate supplies. They check in on neighbours. They give up their time to support others.
We saw the same thing during Storm Babet in 2023, when flooding affected communities across Suffolk. The circumstances were different, but the response was much the same. People stepped forward to help their neighbours through a difficult time.
As the hot, dry weather continues, it is important that everyone keeps following the advice from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service. The risk of fire remains high in many parts of Suffolk's countryside and open spaces.
Please dispose of cigarettes and matches carefully and never throw them from a vehicle. Avoid parking on dry grass, as hot exhausts can quickly start fires. Do not use disposable barbecues unless they are allowed in a designated area, and make sure they are fully extinguished afterwards. During dry conditions, avoid lighting fires, bonfires and fire pits in the countryside.
If you see a fire in the open, move to a safe place and call 999 as soon as possible.
The work to tackle this fire is not over. Firefighters and supporting agencies continue to work extremely hard in difficult conditions, and we are grateful for everything they’re doing.
On behalf of Suffolk County Council, I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the response.
From the firefighters on the front line to the volunteers at the relief centre, from the farmers supporting operations to the businesses donating supplies, every contribution has helped.
Over the last week, we have seen people give their time, share their resources and support complete strangers. We have seen communities come together without fuss and simply do what needed to be done.
That is who we are in Suffolk. And it is something we can all be proud of.
