Today08:29 BST'Enormous' impact on 'extraordinary landscape'Hilary McGrady, head of the National Trust, said the fire at Dunwich Heath has been "absolutely devastating".Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme this morning, she said: "The impact has been enormous [because of] the loss of this extraordinary landscape that so many people loved but the nature itself there."There are lots of nightjars, warblers, adders - the list is just so extensive. It's got every designation you could imagine."[Dunwich Heath is an] incredibly important site."Dr McGrady went on to say the blaze "is a climate change challenge that we're all going to have to deal with" and "do something about".Asked if the habitat is likely to recover, the director general said: "Nature is incredibly resilient. It can come back but my goodness it needs care. It needs support."A fundraising campaign will be launched today to help with the recovery of the "much loved" landscape.Dr McGrady said: "This was a place where people came to look at that beautiful purple heather."It's much, much loved and we're going to need to start to restore it as soon as we're allowed to get back on site and we'll start the work on that straight away."Nature will come back but we'll need to help her."Hilary McGrady, National Trust director general(Image: Manchester Evening News)The scene of the fire(Image: Humphrey Nemar/ daily mirror)Today08:18 BSTPictures of fire devastation as crews remain on sceneFirefighters remain on scene at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk.In its latest update, issued at 5.20am today, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said "trigger points" for the fire were identified and mapped last night and crews were working across three sectors.A watching brief was maintained during darkness.Crews from out of area were called to support Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service(Image: Ryan Lovejoy/PA Wire)The heath was destroyed by the flames(Image: FACEBOOK)The fire is 'one of the largest' in the history of Suffolk(Image: Ryan Lovejoy/PA Wire)Up to 18 fire engines were sent to the scene(Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)Evacuees at Westleton Village Hall(Image: Humphrey Nemar/ Daily Mirror)A major incident was declared on Thursday in response to the fire(Image: Ryan Lovejoy/PA Wire)Smoke rising from the Dunwich Heath wildfire(Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)Today07:27 BSTEverything you need to know on day 3 of Dunwich Heath fireThe fire at Dunwich Heath started around 5.30pm on Wednesday, with hundreds of firefighters deployed to tackle the flames, which now cover an area of around 150 hectares. Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service expects the response to the blaze to continue until at least tomorrow afternoon.Dunwich Heath is located just three miles away from Sizewell B - the UK's largest nuclear power plant. A spokesperson for EDF, the company running the power station, said on Thursday that the fire was "not affecting operations at Sizewell B power station".Dunwich Heath, a National Trust site, was considered a "rare and precious habitat" as it housed a number of special species. RSPB Suffolk area manager Adam Rowlands said this will now take decades to recover.Dozens of people and around 200 caravans were evacuated, with residents and holidaymakers alike woken up by banging on doors. While some had the chance to pack, others were left with no option but to leave straight away. Dozens are now supported at Westleton Village Hall.Around 120 firefighters were at the scene on Thursday afternoon, with crews called in from other force areas, including London and Essex. The fire was described as "dynamic but stable" yesterday evening and 12 fire engines continued responding overnight.Almost 120 properties were left without power from mid-afternoon and into the evening. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the fire service will have "all of the support" it needs in tackling the blaze.Hundreds of firefighters were deployed to the scene(Image: Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service/AFP via Getty Images)Today06:20 BSTIN PICTURES: What Dunwich Heath looks like this morning The scene this morning on Dunwich Heath(Image: Suffolk County Council)Today06:02 BSTFire crews issue early morning update A spokesperson for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said: "Crews and officers remained at the incident overnight, with a number of relief crews arriving on scene throughout, as part of a rolling programme."Trigger points for fire were identified and mapped yesterday evening. Crews are working across three sectors, and maintained a watching brief during darkness."Today04:03 BSTLocals thank fire crews for their hard workA number of local people have taken to social media to share their thanks to firefighters at the scene. One wrote: "Words can’t express how grateful people are to the amazing fire crews." Another wrote: "Thank you so much for everything you are doing. Our family would love to send some thank you/care packages of tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits to all the crews stations in Suffolk who attended, is it best to get their address of the gov website?We know it doesn’t come anywhere near to show our gratitude but we appreiciate it more than you’ll know."Today01:15 BSTCouple recall 'frantic banging' on caravan before fleeing 'toxic' wildfire fumesA couple from Essex have recalled how they escaped the Suffolk wildfire as they and hundreds of other caravan park guests were evacuated.Stephen Bullock and his partner Christine Miller were staying at Dunwich Cliffs Estate caravan park, having travelled from Canvey Island in Essex for a three or four day stay. He became aware of smoke drifting across fields "quite a way away" at 5pm, which persisted for a few hours, then died down, so they watched a bit of TV and went to bed.However, at 11pm there was "frantic banging" on the caravan door as the park warden was evacuating visitors, flashlight in hand.Read the full story here.30th Jul23:39 BSTUK heatwave to remain until September with fears of more drought Britain's extreme weather is set to persist throughout August - and is set to lead to the highest number of heat-associated deaths on record this year. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported the number of excess deaths caused by heatwaves so far this year is already more than double the number for the whole of last year.The Met Office says August is likely to be hotter and drier than usual. Making the start and spread of wildfires a higher risk.Read the full story here.30th Jul23:26 BSTPower back on at most propertiesThe fire service have confirmed that power is back on at most of the properties impacted.In a statement posted just after 10pm on Thursday, the service said: “Power is back on at 111 of the 116 affected properties."30th Jul23:24 BSTFire is 'stabilising'The large wildfire near on the Suffolk coast is “stabilising”, the county’s fire service said.In a statement posted just after 10pm on Thursday, the service said: “Although this remains a dynamic incident, the situation appears to be stabilising and we believe we are in a better position than early this evening at 5pm. Power is back on at 111 of the 116 affected properties.“Our fire control team is getting a lot of calls about the smell of smoke at properties nearby. This is to be expected as night falls and smoke/ash drops to the ground.“We are reiterating our safety messages about keeping doors/windows closed, and calling 999 if in danger.”30th Jul22:03 BSTFirefighters are working through the nightMr Gulliver said he had not been told about reports the fire had expanded and said he could not comment on whether the number of firefighters tackling the blaze will increase.He added: "The community that run the village hall here have been absolutely phenomenal. They've been cooking evacuees breakfast and making them lunch and dinner as well and they'll be continuing that tonight and tomorrow morning as well."They've been absolutely brilliant at looking after everyone so I want to stress my gratitude."He added firefighters are planning to continue working through the night.Evacuees tonight at the Westleton village hall(Image: Humphrey Nemar/ daily mirror)30th Jul21:45 BSTFire crews using 15 fire engines and helicopterFreddie Gulliver, emergency planning manager, Suffolk joint emergency planning unit, updated evacuees at a 6pm briefing at Westleton village hall.He said: "The fire service are using 15 fire engines, plus a command vehicle. Their tactics are working and they are making good progress attacking the fire from the north by digging trenches and filling it with water as well."They also have a helicopter as well that is dropping water and that is also helping with controlling the fire as well, so good progress is being made."That said anything can still happen until the fire is out. It's still moving about at the moment."They are getting extra engines from London as well as part of the national support they asked for."He added: "Fingers crossed they are hoping for a light shower tonight. We're not sure, but we're keeping our fingers crossed that might help."Organisers said the helicopter dropping water is from the National Trust.30th Jul20:49 BSTAngela Rayner praises firefighters' 'skill and dedication'Angela Rayner has paid tribute to firefighters tackling a major wildfire in Suffolk.In a video posted to social media, the Communities Secretary said: “I want to pay tribute to the brave firefighters that are tackling the wildfire in Suffolk. Thank you. Your skill and dedication and bravery is outstanding.“My thoughts are also with the residents that have had to leave their homes. I know it’s incredibly difficult circumstances. The Prime Minister has made clear that the whole of Government will ensure that the fire and rescue services mutual aid and local services have all the resources they need.”(Image: Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)30th Jul20:37 BST 'No concern fire might spread towards Sizewell B'Freddie Gulliver said there is currently no concern that the fire might spread towards Sizewell B power station.Speaking to reporters, Mr Gulliver said: “Sizewell is not a risk, a concern currently at this stage. From the meetings we’ve had at the moment, that hasn’t been a concern.”Mr Gulliver, from the Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit, said at this stage, the local authority are not planning any more evacuations.He said while a rest centre has been set up for those who have been forced to evacuate, he expects a “low number of people” to actually stay there.The local authority worker added: “We currently have 40 beds on site. Whether we set them all up or not, we’ll see.”30th Jul20:30 BST'Holidays turn to horror in scenes from disaster movies as huge wildfire rages'Our reporter, Patrick Hill, saw firsthand the devastation the wildfire at Dunwich Heath, Suffolk caused throughout Thursday, during which hundreds of people were evacuated from properties.Read the full story here(Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)30th Jul20:20 BST'At least 47 people, dogs cats and a mouse evacuated'At least 47 people, including babies, as well as five dogs, a cat and a mouse, were evacuated from lodges and caravans at Cliff House holiday park, near Dunwich Heath, after the fire began at around 5pm on Wednesday night.Freddie Gulliver, emergency planning manager, Suffolk joint emergency planning unit, updated evacuees at a 6pm briefing at Westleton village hall.Mr Gulliver said evacuees from affected camp sites and properties will not be allowed to return to them tonight.He said most evacuees have been accommodated in residents homes, but a small number will tonight also stay on camp beds at the makeshift rest centre at the village hall, which will be staffed all night.Evacuees at Westleton village hall(Image: Humphrey Nemar/ daily mirror)30th Jul20:00 BSTFire service 'making good progress' In an update this evening, Suffolk Council said: "Although the fire is dynamic, it remains stable and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service is making good progress and confident that tactics are working and moving in the right direction."Six appliances from London Fire Brigade will be joining the efforts."30th Jul19:19 BSTWildfire 'shows Suffolk at its best'Michael Hadwen, the leader of Suffolk County Council, said incidents like the wildfire “show Suffolk at its best”.He told the Press Association: “The main evacuees have been holidaymakers, so there’s that added distress that, you know, they’re away from home, they can’t access their cars. I can imagine, especially for people with young children (or) older relatives, it is a very distressing situation, but hopefully they have seen what this community can do for them to get them involved.”Mr Hadwen said: “Communities like Westleton have opened their homes to evacuees. We’re seeing supermarkets donating food. We’d even got societies donating money, and people have really rallied. Actually, coming here today, as I thought was important to do to show the community we’re with them, there isn’t a feeling of great fear here or anxiety.“It’s a feeling of real support and community.”Leader of Suffolk Council, Reform Councillor Michael Hadwen(Image: Tim Merry)30th Jul18:46 BSTFire crews from London drafted inFreddie Gulliver, from the Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit, told residents in a meeting at Westleton Village Hall that fire engines are being brought from London to tackle the wildfire.“They (Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service) are making good progress and tactics are working,” Mr Gulliver told dozens of people who gathered in the hall.“They are getting extra engines from London as well, so that’s the national support that they ask for as well to bring into the area.“There will still be no access to campsites or properties that have been evacuated, evacuated for tonight, in this evening.”He added that the fire service is “confident” it is tackling the fire, including by filling trenches with water and dropping water from helicopters.30th Jul18:01 BST Zack Polanski calls for Cobra meeting Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called for Prime Minister Andy Burnham to host an emergency Cobra meeting to discuss the outbreak of wildfires across the UK, including today's at Dunwich."Across the country terrifying wildfires are raging, forcing people to leave their homes not knowing what they will come back to find," Polanski says."Burnham should call a Cobra meeting and set out urgently how his Government will keep people safe amid this crisis."Burnham said in an earlier statement that he would make sure Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service had "all of the support" needed to tackle the ongoing wildfire.Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales Zack Polanski(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)30th Jul17:52 BSTWildfire has now grown to around 150 hectaresThe latest update by the county council said: "The area affected by the wildfire has now grown to around 150 hectares. Changing wind conditions continue to affect the direction and behaviour of the fire, making it difficult to predict how it may spread."Firefighters continue to work with support from our neighbours in the region. We have also requested additional national support, including wildfire specialist appliances, officers, and tactical advisors."Around 50 people have received support through the rest centre, which remains open."We expect the response to continue for at least the next 48 hours. While some rain is possible overnight, several more dry days are forecast."Smoke rises from the wildfire at Dunwich Heat as s major incident has been declared(Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)30th Jul17:40 BST National Trust says UK must adapt to more firesThe National Trust has called for urgent adaptation to climate extremes – and warned the Government not to back down on action to cut emissions – as the UK battles the latest wildfires brought on by hot dry conditions, and half of England and Wales are now in drought.The charity’s intervention comes in the wake of 200 blazes nationwide in the past fortnight, include large areas of National Trust landscapes such as on the Isle of Wight and currently at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk.Hilary McGrady, director-general at the National Trust said: “We’ve all been watching in horror as our neighbours in Europe are battling the most extreme fires.“Fires like these might once have seemed unthinkable in Europe and the UK – but that certainty is gone.”She called for urgent adaptation to the new conditions, including building homes fit for the future, creating wetter and more resilient landscapes, cooling towns and cities and helping communities to prepare for the changing weather.“It means taking steps now to protect our health, our heritage and our way of life,” she urged. “But while we must adapt, we mustn’t accept these conditions as “normal” and become desensitised to the underlying issue while there is still time to change course.“Every nation has to tackle the problem at source – and that means leaving fossil fuels in the ground. Andy Burnham and his government must not stall in their response. The UK has responded to enormous challenges over the last century, and with enough will and strong leadership, it can do so again,” she urged.30th Jul17:23 BSTHealth warning from UKHSA The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has released the following health advice to locals.Residents in areas affected by the smoke should stay indoors and keep their doors and windows closed. Motorists who have to travel through the smoke should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed.Some of the substances present in smoke can irritate the lining of the air passages, the skin and the eyes. Respiratory symptoms can include coughing and wheezing, breathlessness and chest pain, if you experience any of these contact your GP or call NHS 111.Chemicals in the smoke can worsen existing health problems like asthma so people are encouraged to carry their inhaler with them.Due to hot weather, we advise extra precautions:Draw curtains to limit direct sunlight heating-up internal surfaces.Use fans to recirculate air within the house to help keep cool.Keep hydrated with cool drinks.Set any air conditioning (preferably fitted with a HEPA filter) to recirculate mode.Once the smoke has moved away: consider opening doors and windows to allow properties to cool down, being mindful of changing conditions. The smoke may have moved away but it could just be a brief respite and could return. It is important to listen to ongoing public advice about ventilating your property.Families have been evacuated from homes and a caravan park(Image: Newsquest / SWNS)30th Jul17:05 BSTPower cut affecting three postcodesMore than 100 homes have been left without power following powercuts which are a “precautionary measure” the fire service has said.Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement: “As a precautionary measure in support of the Major Incident response to the wildfire at Dunwich Heath, UK Power Networks (UKPN) has announced a power cut affecting three postcodes (IP17 3, IP19 9, IPSWI) and 116 customers, which they are investigating and fixing.“UKPN has not yet confirmed when power will be restored and has been communicating with customers.”30th Jul16:39 BSTSatellite images reveal terrifying extent of Suffolk fireSatellite images from NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) show the extent of the fire over the past 24 hours.The blaze has burned through an area equivalent to roughly 140 football pitches.Satellite imagery of the fire from NASA FIRMS(Image: NASA FIRMS)30th Jul16:25 BSTVideo shows devastation as fire rages in SuffolkA video released by Suffolk Council shows the devastation caused by the wildfire, which 18 fire engines and 120 firefighters are currently trying to extinguish.Video shows destruction of Suffolk wildfires30th Jul15:58 BSTDrought declared as Wales faces driest July for 190 yearsDrought has now been declared across the whole of Wales, with this month on course to be the driest July in Wales since records began 190 years ago, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said.North Wales and the Upper Severn were given drought status last week and, after continued low rainfall and high temperatures, this has now been extended to include the whole of the country, the devolved Government agency said.The majority of rivers across Wales are exceptionally low, and the dry conditions are leading to river beds drying out, distressing fish, causing algal blooms, and raising concerns from farmers about crop growth, the body said. There were also concerns about grazing conditions and levels of drinking water for livestock, it added.Rhian Thomas, Sustainable Water and Nature Manager at NRW, said: “The intensity of the heat and the exceptional lack of rainfall means this is a rapidly changing picture in Wales.“Our teams are closely monitoring forecasts and river flows and responding to increasing environmental concerns and incidents across Wales.“The toll on the environment, our land and agriculture is clear to see, with many of our teams still dealing with the aftermath of extensive wildfires which have devastated forestry, grassland and special habitats.“With no strong indications for notable rainfall in the forecasts, and risks of further heatwaves over the summer, it’s more important than ever that we all use water wisely. Every drop we waste is less water for our rivers and wildlife when they need it the most.”30th Jul15:38 BSTDramatic images show crews battling flames in SuffolkSuffolk Council shared images of firefighters on the ground tackling the blaze.The fire currently covers around 100 hectares, with 18 fire engines and supporting resources at the scene.Fire crews are currently working to contain the fire in “challenging conditions”, the council added.Firefighters at the scene of a wildfire at Dunwich Heath(Image: Suffolk County Council/PA Wire)A major incident has been declared as firefighters battle the large heathland blaze(Image: Suffolk County Council/PA Wire)The wildfire has consumed a large area on the Suffolk coast(Image: Suffolk County Council/PA Wire)30th Jul15:26 BSTSizewell C nuclear power station ‘closely monitoring’ blaze Staff at the Sizewell C nuclear power station, which is under construction nearby on the Suffolk coast, are closely monitoring the fire. A Sizewell C spokesperson said: “We’re continuing to closely monitor the fire at Dunwich Heath. It currently poses low risk to Sizewell C, given its distance from site and watercourses in between.“Sizewell C sites and offices continue to operate as normal, but we are continuously assessing the impacts of smoke and the effects on the road network to ensure that our people remain safe and emergency services have priority.“We remain available to support the local community, in collaboration with the local council and police and Fire and Rescue Services.”They added that Sizewell C had provided a minibus and space at their accommodation for evacuations. They have also deployed a water bowser to support the fire service and sent food and water to the fire service on the ground.30th Jul15:08 BSTLatest guidance from Suffolk Fire and Rescue ServiceSuffolk Fire and Rescue Service said a major incident remains in place Dunwich Heath, where a fire covering about 100 hectares is still not under control.Eighteen fire engines and 120 firefighters are on scene.The fire service said: "Firefighters are continuing their efforts to contain the fire in challenging conditions."Some residents who have been evacuated are being supported at a rest centre, while many more have self-evacuated."Residents and visitors are asked to stay away from the area to allow emergency services to carry out their work safely and effectively."The scene of the fire(Image: Humphrey Nemar/ daily mirror)‌