Drone images show Suffolk wildfire devastation as helicopters scrambled

News UK News Wildfires Suffolk: Drone footage shows wildfire at Dunwich Heath LIVE EVENT ENDED Updated 1 day ago Drone images show Suffolk wildfire devastation as helicopters scrambled A wildfire ravaging Dunwich Heath in Suffolk is still 'unstable' according to the local council with the number of firefighters at the scene increasing Comments News Paige Ingram , Joe Smith News Reporter , Rucsandra Moldoveanu Live News Reporter , Patrick Hill Senior News Reporter and Ethan Davies Updated 19:45, 31 Jul 2026 A wildfire that has destroyed an area the size of 200 football pitches in Suffolk remains "unstable". The blaze at Dunwich Heath has devastated wildlife habitats, which could now take up to 25 years to recover, after it went up in flames at about 5pm on Wednesday. Hundreds of people were evacuated from caravan sites, and they have now been given a short window to collect their belongings. National Trust director-general Hilary McGrady described the “heartbreaking” loss of important habitat - which was home to rare species such as nightjars, skylarks and the rare Dartford warbler - due to the blaze. The land was also home to adders, lizards and slow worms, as well as butterflies including the rare silver-studded blue. The lowland heath habitat is one of the UK’s rarest, and an estimated 92% of it has been lost in England over the last 120 years, the charity said. ‌ New Updates Key Events 'Conditions are improving,' authorities say View Post In pictures: Inside the cordon as evacuees allowed to go back for belonging… View Post Colchester fire response scaled down View Post Evacuees escorted to properties to grab cars and belongings View Post Resident witnessed fire starting and tried to stamp it out View Post Everything we know as new wildfire 'spreading quickly' in Essex View Post Another wildfire starts View Post Cause of fire still unclear View Post 'Catastrophic' impact as National Trust site entirely devastated View Post 'Enormous' impact on 'extraordinary landscape' View Post Everything you need to know on day 3 of Dunwich Heath fire View Post 'Holidays turn to horror in scenes from disaster movies as huge wildfire ra… View Post Zack Polanski calls for Cobra meeting View Post Wildfire has now grown to around 150 hectares View Post Burnham makes pledge for Suffolk to 'have all the support' View Post Dunwich Heath fire is 'one of largest in Suffolk history' View Post No casualties so far View Post Habitat could take 'more than a decade' to recover View Post Fire is 'unprecedented in living memory' View Post 'We grabbed our sons in their pyjamas and left...' View Post Fire spans 100 hectares as crews from other areas called in View Post Sizewell B staff 'continue to monitor the situation' View Post Fire closely monitored by second power station site View Post Crews to remain on scene 'for next 24 to 48 hours' View Post Deaths caused by heatwaves double this summer View Post Holidaymakers were told to 'go immediately' View Post Footage of fire as crews continue to tackle blaze View Post 'No risk' to nuclear plant View Post National Trust tells people to avoid Dunwich Heath area View Post Roads closed as fire response continues View Post New official update: 'Successful evacuation' View Post Good morning, here's what you need to know View Post Will it rain over Dunwich Heath on Thursday? View Post Where is the Dunwich Heath fire? View Post Police statement View Post New Suffolk Council update View Post 31st Jul 19:32 BST 'Conditions are currently improving and planning for the recovery phase has begun' The fire on Dunwich Heath is still being classed as a "major incident" with 20 fire engines and a helicopter tackling the fire before it gets dark, officials have said. However, things appear to be moving in a positive direction, with conditions, “currently improving and planning for the recovery phase has begun," Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said. The fire has scorched an area equivalent to the size of about 200 football pitches with holidaymakers evacuated from campsites and caravan park guests briefly allowed to return today to collect belongings under police escort. The National Trust launched an emergency appeal to help restore the devastated habitat on the heath, and called on the government to ensure "immediate access" to air support for fire crews after the charity helped mobilise a helicopter to drop water on the flames. There have been no reports of injuries and no properties have been lost. Firefighters expect to remain at the scene until Monday at the earliest. This concludes our live coverage of the event. An aerial view taken with a drone shows smoke rising from wildfires near holiday cabins in Dunwich Heath (Image: TOLGA AKMEN/EPA/Shutterstock) Comments Joe Smith 31st Jul 18:30 BST Aerial photos show extent of devastation as efforts continue Drone shots show scenes of devastation as efforts continue to quench the flames at Dunwich Heath. As many as 20 fire engines and a helicopter are batting to bring the fire under control before nightfall, with flames just kept from consuming a row of historic Coastguard Cottages. The fire and the beach (Image: TOLGA AKMEN/EPA/Shutterstock) An aerial view shows smoke rising from wildfires near Dunwich Heath (Image: TOLGA AKMEN/EPA/Shutterstock) Burnt-out heath land in front of Coastguard Cottages (Image: AFP via Getty Images) Comments Joe Smith 31st Jul 17:39 BST 20 fire engines and helicopter still 'aggressively' fighting fire Officials said 20 fire engines and a helicopter dropping water are now “aggressively” tackling the fire before it gets dark. Officials say they intend to permanently close the rest centre at Westleton Village Hall later tonight. It is believed everyone who was evacuated while on holiday has now left after retrieving their belongings this afternoon and permanent residents have been accommodated in the area. A helicopter is being used to fight the flames (Image: Suffolk County Council) Comments Joe Smith 31st Jul 17:21 BST 'Conditions are improving,' authorities say A spokesperson said: "Crews remain at the scene, but thanks to intensive firefighting efforts, support from the helicopter, and the creation of fire breaks, an earlier identified risk to buildings around the Coastguard Cottages area has stabilised. Importantly, no properties have been lost. "The helicopter is continuing to tackle hotspots in areas that are difficult to reach, while work has been underway to help evacuated holiday park residents safely collect vehicles and essential belongings through a phased process and police-led convoys. "There have been no reported casualties or injuries to members of the public or emergency responders. "The smoke plume has changed direction during the day. Health advice remains unchanged: if you are affected by smoke, please keep windows and doors closed. While the incident remains significant and resource intensive - and is still classified as a Major Incident for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service and Suffolk Resilience Forum partners - conditions are currently improving and planning for the recovery phase has begun. "Firefighters and partner agencies will continue to monitor the weather and situation closely over the coming days. Thank you to everyone affected for your patience and cooperation." The fire has destroyed large swathes of countryside (Image: Humphrey Nemar/ daily mirror) Comments Joe Smith 31st Jul 17:03 BST 'It looked better than I expected' Dave Johnson, 67, a retired IT technician, and his wife Jen, 55, an artist, own two lodges at Cliff House holiday park. The couple drove in convoy, escorted by the police, to pick up their essentials from their lodge. Dave said: “It looked better than I expected, although there’s still fires breaking out. We didn’t go as far as where most of the destruction is so you get the false impression it’s probably better than it is. “From what we could see, [Cliff House] it’s alright at the moment, but there’s talk of the fires still.” Comments Joe Smith 31st Jul 16:25 BST 'All you see is empty tents' David Knapp, 59, and his wife Alison, 59, from Herne Bay, were escorted by police to retrieve their motorhome. He said: “When you’re driving down, there’s no sign of fire. There’s no smoke, nothing. Its totally clear. You pull in the campsite and its absolutely deserted, all you see is empty tents. There’s no people. “The motorhome stinks of fire. The window was slightly open and the vent was open so it stinks of smoke. I was going to change my clothes, put a new top on, but what's the point.” Evacuated tents at a campsite near the fire (Image: Humphrey Nemar/ daily mirror) Comments Joe Smith 31st Jul 15:59 BST National Trust appeal to restore 'lost precious habitats' The National Trust has announced it is launching an emergency fundraising appeal after the fire ripped through the Dunwich Heath reserve, leaving it “unrecognisable”. The charity said the heath is an important area for specialist wildlife such as nightjars, skylarks and the rare Dartford warbler, as well as adders, lizards and slow-worms, and butterflies including the rare silver-studded blue. Director general Hilary McGrady says: "We’ve lost precious habitats, wildlife, trees, and a place where people have made memories over generations. It’s heartbreaking." The lowland heath habitat found at the reserve is one of the UK’s rarest, with an estimated 92% of it lost in England over the last 120 years, it added. The site of the Suffolk wildfire (Image: Humphrey Nemar/ daily mirror) Comments Joe Smith 31st Jul 15:31 BST Evacuees get a 'small window of opportunity' Evacuated Suffolk residents and holidaymakers will have a “small window of opportunity” to collect some of their belongings on Friday afternoon, officials said. Those who have been forced to flee by the large wildfire will be taken in a minibus to collect their things in a 15-minute window under police escort. Peter Langford, the emergency planning officer for Suffolk County Council, told evacuated residents and holidaymakers they will be able to collect “essential” items. Mr Langford said during a meeting at Westleton Village Hall, which has been used as a rest centre: “We have a very small window of opportunity to go in and pick up personal possessions, essential ones only, (such as) medication, and bring cars out. “It is still a fast moving situation, as it is, from the fire perspective. It is still an unstable situation.” He added: “Don’t put anybody else’s life at risk because when you get there, police are going to be escorting you and they’re going to wait and escort you out.” Comments Joe Smith 31st Jul 14:58 BST In pictures: Inside the cordon as evacuees allowed to go back for belongings at Dunwich Heath Dunwich Heath has completely burned down (Image: Humphrey Nemar) Tents left behind by holidaymakers (Image: Humphrey Nemar) A close-up of belongings left behind by holidaymakers as they were evacuated (Image: Humphrey Nemar) This is the first time people have been allowed inside the fire perimeter since the blaze started on Wednesday (Image: Humphrey Nemar) Fire engines on Dunwich Heath (Image: Humphrey Nemar) Dunwich Heath has been devastated by the fire (Image: Humphrey Nemar) An officer assessing the scene of the fire on Dunwich Heath (Image: Humphrey Nemar) The habitat could take up to 25 years to recover (Image: Humphrey Nemar) Smoke rising from the ground (Image: Humphrey Nemar.) Dunwich Heath used to house multiple rare species Comments Rucsandra Moldoveanu 31st Jul 14:32 BST Colchester fire response scaled down Some hopeful news coming from Colchester this afternoon as the fire response there has now been scaled down. Around 40 firefighters are now at the scene, down from more than 50 who were sent there when the fire started. In its latest update, Essex Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters continue to make good progress at the scene and are now focusing on extinguishing the remaining hotspots across the affected area. "As the incident has become more contained, we have reduced the number of firefighters at the scene to around 40. "Crews will remain in attendance for as long as necessary to fully extinguish the fire and make the