Incident commander Christopher May, of Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, has just issued a new update on the fire at Dunwich Heath.

He explained firefighters will remain on scene for the next 24 to 48 hours as a major incident remains active.

Mr May said: "Our crews have been firefighting throughout the night to ensure that they protect life and property.

"We're also trying to make sure the impact to the local environment is minimised to the best of our ability.

"Crews will continue to fight fire in the local area for the next probably 24 to 48 hours due to the size and complexity that we face. We're still in a major incident."

One holidaymaker at Cliff House Holiday Park described hearing mentions of the fire at Dunwich Heath early yesterday evening.

Speaking to Hits Radio News, the man said: "I saw a bit of smoke but didn't really worry too much about it.

"We then got reports that it was getting worse and they asked us to pack our stuff and be ready to go."

Police officers then asked people to leave, with the holidaymaker advised to go to Westleton Village Hall.

He said: "We were all ready to go [but] others had to be evacuated with just what they were wearing.

"We'll probably wait for the next update and then head back up to Norfolk where we live."

Smoke rising from a wildfire at Dunwich Heath, near Leiston(Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)

There have been almost double the number of excess deaths caused by heatwaves so far this year than in last summer, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said.

A new report estimates there were 2,877 heat-associated deaths during the heatwaves in May and June this year, almost double the figure reported from the UK heatwaves in June to August last year.

An estimated 753 deaths were associated with the May heatwave from May 24-27, and a further 2,124 with the June heatwave between June 21 and 28.

"While these figures remain interim, they are already approaching the annual record reported by UKHSA in 2022," the report said.

According to a post on X, the smoke rising from the fire at Dunwich Heath is visible from Mid Suffolk.

This is more than an hour's drive away from the heath, with 31.6miles between the two.

Firefighters continue to battle the flames at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk as a major incident was declared last night due to the size of the blaze.

Around 200 holiday caravans were evacuated from the area, while multiple road closures have been put in place.

People are still advised to avoid the area.

The fire is located just a few miles from Sizewell B, the UK's largest nuclear plant, but this is currently not at risk.

A firefighter pictured at the scene(Image: Suffolk Fire and Rescue/Facebook)

Thick plumes of smoke rising from the site(Image: @X)

People in the area were asked to 'go immediately'(Image: @X)

Around 70 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze(Image: Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service)

Two holidaymakers woke up to "hammering" on their door at 11.30pm yesterday as they enjoyed their stay at a holiday cottage at Dunwich Cliffs.

Justin North and his wife had noticed the smoke at around 5.30pm but told the BBC they "didn't really give it much thought".

Hours later, they were told to "go immediately", leaving them with no time to pack their belongings.

The couple had to sleep in their car, with driving conditions made difficult by driving in the nightime smoke, before they accessed the evacuation centre that was set up.

Suffolk County Council said that around 200 caravans were also evacuated from Cliff House Holiday Park.

All those displaced were advised to attend Westleton Village Hall for updates.

Smoke rising from Dunwich Heath

Dunwich Heath receives up to 200,000 visits every year, making it one of the busiest coastal and wildlife destinations on the Suffolk coast.

It was named as one of the "most invigorating" breaks in the UK by The Times last year, attracting large crowds in the summer season.

Framlingham Town Council, located a 30-minute drive from Dunwich Heath, states: "A precious landscape on the Suffolk coast. Tucked away on the Suffolk coast, Dunwich Heath offers you peace and quiet and a true sense of being at one with nature.

"A rare and precious habitat, the Heath is home to special species such as the Dartford warbler, nightjar, woodlark, ant-lion, adders and much more.

"Quiet and serene, wild and dramatic, this is an inspiring visit, whatever the time of year.

"From July to September, the Heath is alive with colour; a patchwork of pink and purple heather and coconut-scented yellow gorse is an unmissable experience."

Dunwich Heath has been described by the National Trust as a "precious landscape on the Suffolk coast".

A book shop, tea room, play area and holiday cottages are available, along with family-friendly walks.

There is also a wartime trail along the beach, where walkers can find defences installed to defend the coast during the Second World War.

The heath is alive with colour between July and September(Image: Eleanor Moody)

Dunwich heath attracts thousands of visitors every year(Image: Publicity Picture)

Dunwich Heath has been described as a 'rare and precious' habitat

According to precipitation maps from the Met Office, moderate to heavy rain is now expected over Dunwich in the early hours of Friday.

This will start lightly and briefly around 1am and possibly peak at 8-16mm/hour - considered heavy rain - between 4am and 7am.

Some rain is also possible in the early hours of Saturday.

Luckily, no strong winds have been forecast by the Met Office for Dunwich, with just a light breeze reaching speeds of up to 11mph expected over the weekend.

Suffolk was one of the drought zones declared yesterday, with temperatures expected to remain in the high 20s for the rest of today.

These will drop to about 21C tomorrow, when cloudy conditions are also expected.

Heavy rain is expected over Dunwich early tomorrow, around 4am(Image: Met Office)

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has urged people to avoid visiting Dunwich Beach and surrounding areas, also sharing advice on how to prevent new fires.

An update shared by the service reads: "We understand that the warm weather makes a trip to the coast very appealing, but for everyone's safety we are asking people to stay away from the area at this time.

"It is essential that the area and surrounding roads are kept clear to allow emergency services to carry out their work safely and effectively, and to help protect members of the public."

People should dispose of cigarettes and matches safely and never throw them from a vehicle, avoid parking on dry grass as hot exausts can ignite vegetation and not use disposable barbecues unless in designated areas.

The public has also been asked to ensure barbecues are fully extinguished after use and to not light fires in the countryside or other unsuitable locations.

Bonfires and fire pits should also be avoided.

Dunwich Beach(Image: Getty Images)

We have now had official confirmation that the fire at Dunwich Heath poses no threat to Sizewell B, the UK's largest nuclear plant, at this time. It is located a few miles away from the blaze.

Suffolk County Council said: "At this time there is no current risk to Sizewell B, due to the distance from the fire and the direction it is travelling (Easterly).

"However, this is a live and dynamic situation and as a result any further updates will be shared accordingly."

National Trust has now officially confirmed the unsurprising, given the circumstances, closure of Dunwich Heath today.

An "important notice" on their website reads: "30/07 - Dunwich Heath is currently closed as we assist fire crews at the scene of a wild fire in the area.

"Please avoid the area at this time to enable access for emergency services."

Around 70 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze(Image: Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service)

Suffolk Highways has shared a list of road closures that were put in place this morning to help emergency services respond to the heathland blaze safely.

The authority added that the arrangements are subject to change.

• Full closure - Minsmere Road/Westleton Road junction.
• Partial closure - Dunwich Road from the junction of The Street, The Hill and Blythburgh Road eastwards to the Minsmere Road/Westleton Road junction.
• Partial closure - Walk Barn Farm Lane from the junction of Mill Road and Vault Hill northwards to Dunwich Road.
• Partial closure - Mill Road and Hard Piece Lane closed towards Dunwich from the junction of Mill Street and Baker's Lane eastwards to the junction of Mill Road, Vault Hill and Walk Barn Farm Lane. This could be extended as far as to the next junction of Vault Hill to the east if required.

Suffolk Highways said: "Please avoid the area if possible and plan alternative routes for your journey.

"Access arrangements and closures may change at short notice as the incident develops."

A witness who has observed the fire at Dunwich Heath explained he believes the blaze "dramatically increased" overnight.

A picture shared by X user Karl Adams at 2.55am shows the bright yellow flames and thick smoke billowing into the sky.

Mr Adams said: "The fires at Dunwich Heath appear to have dramatically increased since a few hours ago.

"I’m a few miles away but it’s now very visible. Thinking of the firefighters and hoping the wildlife made a quick escape."

Another user replied to Mr Adams and shared more pictures around 3.45am.

Suffolk County Council says a successful evacuation took place overnight, however it does not detail how firefighting efforts are progressing.

A spokesperson said: "Following the update throughout the night, all individuals have been evacuated successfully.

"We are advising all those who have been displaced as a result of the fire to attend Westleton Village Hall at 08:00am for further updates.

"Residents are advised to stay clear of the area for their own safety and to allow our teams and partner agencies to carry out their essential work."

If you're just waking up, here is the essential information you need to get up to speed on this story.

• Firefighters were called to a blaze at Dunwich Heath, a National Trust nature reserve in Suffolk, at around 5:30pm on Wednesday.
• At its height, up to 90 firefighters were battling the blaze, with 14 fire engines and 'specialist equipment' deployed.
• A major incident was declared later in the evening.
• A nearby campsite has been evacuated, and preparations have been made to evacuate 200 caravans at a holiday park in the vicinity, Suffolk County Council said.
• The fire is a few miles from Sizewell B, the UK's largest nuclear power plant. However, it is not thought to be affecting the power station.
• The council and police have urged the public to avoid the area, keep roads free for emergency vehicles, and keep their windows and doors shut if smoke is nearby.
• Smoke has been seen and smelled as far away Lowestoft, some 20 miles from the scene. Check out the map below to get an idea of the geography.

Suffolk was formally declared a drought zone on Wednesday - but the county will see precipitation in the afternoon and late evening, Met Office maps show.

That's some comfort for firefighters. However, it will stay warm for most of the day, with the mercury around 26C on-site and 28C inland.

The weather maps below are both for around 3pm.

Rain over Dunwich Heath at 3pm(Image: Met Office)

The high temperatures for Suffolk(Image: Met Office)

Shocking images show the scale of the fire.

A look at the fire in Dunwich Heath(Image: Facebook)

Dunwich Heath wildlife reserve is on fire

This image, shared a few moments ago, shows the extent of the blaze, as one eyewitness says it has worsened in the last few hours.

The fire is raging while an amber health alert for heat is in force. It was issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), covering the east midlands, the east, south east and London.

The alert remains in place until 9am on Thursday (July 30), with the agency previously warning that rising temperatures may increase health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Dunwich Heath is a lowland heath, according to the National Trust. It's a big attraction to birdwatchers, because its 'acid grassland' is home to 'several rare bird species', the charity says.

"A rare and precious habitat, the Heath is home to special species such as the Dartford warbler, nightjar, woodlark, ant-lion, adders and much more," adds the National Trust website.

"Quiet and serene, wild and dramatic, this is an inspiring visit, whatever the time of year. From July to September, the Heath is alive with colour; a patchwork of pink and purple heather and coconut-scented yellow gorse is an unmissable experience."

In normal circumstances, a tea rooms, play area, and some cottages for holidaymakers are open to the public.

There is also a wartime trail along the beach, where walkers can find defences installed to defend the coast during the Second World War.

This map shows where the fire is, in relation to Sizewell B, Britain's largest nuclear power station, and Ipswich.

There is no cause for alarm about the proximity of Sizewell B, according to experts.

Suffolk Police has issued a statement on the fire, advising the public to stay away from the blaze.

It said: "Please be aware of a significant wildfire that started on Dunwich Heath. Local residents are advised to follow advice from Suffolk Fire Service to keep all doors and windows closed.

" Please avoid the area to allow emergency services to carry out their essential work safely and effectively."

A short time ago, Suffolk County Council said preparations are being made to evacuate 200 caravans if required.

It said: "Firefighters remain at the scene, with relief crews now in attendance to maintain firefighting operations. The incident ground has been reorganised into a number of sectors to support the ongoing response.

"As a precaution, crews have been focused on protecting properties including Coastguard Cottages, Mount Pleasant Farm and Cliff House Holiday Park. Preparations were also made for the potential evacuation of around 200 caravans at the holiday park should conditions require it.

"Specialist drone support is being used to help assess fire behaviour and support operational decision-making through the night. Members of the public are still advised to avoid the area and keep roads clear for emergency vehicles."