Suffolk, UK: A major incident has been declared on England’s Suffolk coast after a large wildfire broke out at Dunwich Heath, prompting a massive emergency response as firefighters worked to prevent the flames from spreading further.
The fire started shortly after 5:30 pm near Leiston, with thick smoke billowing into the sky and creating dramatic scenes visible across the area. Images and footage shared by Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service showed dense plumes of smoke as crews battled the rapidly spreading blaze.
Authorities noted that the major incident was declared because of the size and complexity of the wildfire, which was being driven southwest by strong winds toward St James’ Church.
Please be aware of a significant wildfire that started on Dunwich Heath.
Local residents are advised to follow advice from @SuffolkFire to keep all doors & windows closed.
Please avoid the area to allow emergency services to carry out their essential work safely & effectively pic.twitter.com/qv4cdk7ODl
— Suffolk Police (@SuffolkPolice) July 29, 2026
Around 90 firefighters were deployed to tackle what Station Manager Dan Davis described as a ‘large-scale, wind-driven forestry fire.’ Residents were urged to stay away from the affected area and keep windows and doors closed due to heavy smoke.
The wildfire erupted just hours after Suffolk became one of several regions in England officially declared to be in drought.
Other affected areas include East Anglia, Hertfordshire, London, Thames Valley, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Devon and Cornwall, the West Midlands, and Wessex, which covers Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
According to the Environment Agency, prolonged heatwaves and exceptionally low rainfall have contributed to the drought conditions. Officials said meaningful rainfall is unlikely before autumn, with October expected to be the earliest chance of significant recovery. Hosepipe bans are already in place for around 23 million customers.
Temperatures climbed into the mid-30s Celsius, while July is on course to become the driest month on record. The UK Health Security Agency also issued an amber heat-health alert covering the East Midlands, East of England, London and the South East, warning of continued health risks before cooler weather arrives.
Authorities also confirmed that the UK recorded its hottest June day on record last month, with temperatures reaching 38C in Lingwood, Norfolk, surpassing the previous record of 35.6C.
Responding to the growing impact of extreme weather, Water Minister Emma Hardy stated that the UK must be prepared for a ‘new normal’ as climate change makes droughts increasingly frequent. The country has now experienced three droughts in the past five years, following similar events in 2022 and 2025.
Wildfires were also reported elsewhere across the UK. Fire crews in Scotland continued making significant progress against a blaze that has been burning in the Cairngorms for two weeks, while firefighters in Romford tackled a large grass fire.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Michael Humphreys described the Cairngorms wildfire as ‘absolutely devastating’ for local wildlife and warned that the risk of flare-ups remains high.
The situation comes as France and Spain continue to battle severe wildfires, with the head of the EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre warning that large parts of Europe could face widespread fires in the coming days if the current blazes are not brought under control.
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