Fire crews in Suffolk are continuing to battle a large wildfire that broke out near the Sizewell nuclear power station, with reports indicating the blaze could keep burning for the next two days. The fire, which has scorched an area comparable to roughly 210 football pitches, is located on and around Dunwich Heath, according to ITVX.
The Suffolk County Council has described the incident as a large forest fire on Dunwich Heath. The National Trust, which manages the heathland, has said that "everything has burnt" in the affected area, as reported by the BBC. Fire crews have managed to stabilize the fire after more than 24 hours of work, according to The Guardian, though the situation remains active.
The Telegraph reports that the wildfire originated on an RSPB reserve before spreading toward the Sizewell site. While the fire has posed a significant threat to the nuclear facility, officials have not reported any damage to the plant itself. The proximity of the blaze to critical infrastructure has made the response a priority for emergency services.
The cause of the fire has not been confirmed in the available reporting. The scale of the burn area, combined with dry conditions, suggests the fire will continue to produce smoke and challenge firefighting efforts for the next 48 hours, per ITVX. Local residents and visitors to the coastal heath have been advised to avoid the area as crews work to contain the flames.
What to watch next: updates from Suffolk County Council and the National Trust on containment progress and any potential impact on the Sizewell facility.
