Major incident declared as firefighters battle wildfire on Suffolk coast
The fire broke out at Dunwich Heath near Leiston and is spreading towards St James' Church
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service is currently tackling a large wildfire on Dunwich Heath, spreading south-west towards St James' Church off Westleton Road.
The blaze began on the 29th July 2026 at around 5:00pm and rapidly escalated, prompting the attendance of fourteen fire stations from across the region.
Specialist equipment such as Unimogs, drones, and quad bikes are being utilised by crews from Leiston, Reydon, Halesworth, Beccles, Ipswich East, Ipswich Princes Street, Lowestoft South, Lowestoft North, Stradbroke, Wrentham, Bungay, Saxmundham, Haverhill, Orford, Stowmarket, Felixstowe, and Woodbridge.
At 10:30pm, the fire was declared a Major Incident due to its size and complexity.
About 70 firefighters remain on site, coordinating with multiple emergency services to ensure public safety.
The public is strongly advised to avoid the area and keep nearby roads clear to allow emergency vehicles to pass easily.
By 12:15am, relief crews had arrived, ensuring continued firefighting efforts through the night.
Firefighters are focused on protecting nearby properties such as Coastguard Cottages, Mount Pleasant Farm, and Cliff House Holiday Park, with preparations underway for potential evacuation of around 200 caravans if necessary.
Specialist drone support has been deployed to assess fire behaviour and support operational decision-making.
Residents affected by smoke are advised to keep windows and doors closed where possible.