It is now nearly two weeks since the fire at Dunwich Heath began, and the fact that firefighting efforts are still taking place is testimony to just how severe it has been.
The devastation to the heathlands and adjoining Minsmere is heartbreaking.
So much has been lost and it will take many years to grow back to its previously abundant wildness.
A real concern is the displacement of wildlife that inhabited the area, there are far and wide implications that only time will heal, and we hope that it will grow back stronger.
However, what is beyond question is the magnificent response of Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service and all those organisations who have rallied to support them.
I have purposely not commented during the firefighting effort because I wanted the focus of the public to be on the fire, and not on the Reform UK administration’s messages.
Now that it is no longer being classed as a major incident, I am more than happy to lend my voice to those praising the response.
I want to thank every single person who has played a part, from those fighting the fire on the heath and staff working around the clock behind the scenes, to the organisations providing food, welfare, equipment, specialist advice and practical support.
I also want to thank residents and businesses in Dunwich, Westleton and the surrounding communities who have had to live with road closures, smoke, disruption, and uncertainty for almost two weeks and have shown tremendous patience and support for our emergency services.
Praise is due too to the local supermarkets that donated numerous welfare packages, and Ipswich Building Society which donated £5,000 at the start to the incident in support of the local community.
Yet the fire is far from completely out.
Crews are still in attendance damping down hotspots and I appeal to the public to follow the calls the service has made for people to continue to keep away from the area and let them get on with finishing the job.
I will take this opportunity to state that the rescinding of the climate emergency declaration would not have stopped a fire of this nature taking hold.
Education is key to how we manage our countryside in the ever-changing climate, and we must fight to provide the resources that we need for our emergency services.
If we genuinely want to reduce the impacts of incidents like this, our conversation going forward should be about investment in Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service.
Better-resourced fire crews with updated equipment, improved wildfire capability and the funding to meet the growing demands placed on our invaluable service and crews.
It is an honour for me to be the lead member on this council for the Fire and Rescue Service but as part of my remit as a county councillor, I am also proud to be its Armed Forces Champion.
I work alongside the Armed Forces Commissioner and the Armed Forces Covenant Board to support serving personnel, veterans, reservists, and their families and raise awareness, to ensure fair access to services and opportunities for the military community.
As a former serviceman myself I know how important this is, and I am keen to support the efforts of others who give their time and effort to do the same.
I am therefore delighted to lend my support to a group of former guardsmen who are setting off on a fundraising walk in memory of Guardsman Glen Ling, from Saxmundham, who tragically died in an IRA ambush in Northern Ireland in 1978.
Members of the Suffolk branch of the Grenadier Guards Association will be walking from Bawdsey to Snape Maltings on August 16 to raise money for the regiment’s welfare organisation the Colonel’s Fund.
It is a very worthy cause so if you see them on the walk please consider donating, or you can do so via Just Giving – ‘Kevin's fundraiser for The Colonel's Fund Grenadier Guards/’.
