Hundreds of people have been evacuated and a major incident has been declared in eastern England after a large wildfire spread across the Suffolk coast, threatening to engulf the nearby Sizewell B nuclear power station.
Emergency crews were called to the fire at Dunwich Heath, near Leiston, shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, with the blaze spreading across more than 80 hectares by Thursday.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue said the fire was not fully under control on Thursday, although changing winds and a firefighting helicopter helped slow its advance.
Authorities evacuated homes and a nearby caravan park as a precaution, while residents were advised to avoid the area and keep doors and windows closed.
The wildfire reached the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Minsmere Nature Reserve, threatening one of England’s most important coastal habitats.
Firefighters said the blaze posed no immediate threat to Sizewell B, located several kilometers away, while EDF, the operator of the nuclear power station, said plant operations continued normally and the situation was being closely monitored.
The Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit also said there was no indication that the fire was expected to spread toward the nuclear facility under current conditions.
The incident came a day after half of England was officially declared to be in severe drought, including East Anglia, while Natural Resources Wales declared drought across the whole of Wales on Thursday.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said firefighters have responded to 393 wildfires across England and Wales during July, making it the busiest month on record and placing significant pressure on emergency services.
NFCC Chair Phil Garrigan warned that wildfires are becoming an increasingly frequent threat as climate and environmental conditions continue to change.
The Suffolk blaze is part of a wider wave of wildfires affecting Europe, with major fires continuing in France, Spain, and Turkey.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned on Thursday that England is on course to record its highest number of heat-related deaths this summer as repeated heatwaves continue to affect much of the country.
