Fire crews have scaled back their response to a significant heathland fire in Suffolk, which was declared a major incident and has now been stood down. The move marks the beginning of a coordinated recovery phase for the affected area, led by East Suffolk Council.
While the immediate danger has passed, fire chiefs emphasized that the incident is not entirely over. Crews will remain on site to monitor the heathland for any residual smoldering or flare-ups. The unique nature of the landscape means fires can remain hidden underground for extended periods, necessitating ongoing vigilance.
At the peak of the blaze, firefighting efforts involved approximately 600 firefighters from all of Suffolk's 35 fire stations. Crews were also brought in from across the country through a national resilience program to support the response. Fire Chief Jason Lacey described the incident as "unprecedented" and expressed gratitude for the extensive additional support.
The public has been asked to continue staying away from the heath itself to allow crews to work safely and to facilitate the recovery efforts. This coordinated recovery is now underway, with officials acknowledging the long-term work required to address the aftermath of the fire.
Tristan Gale, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for planning, devolution, and the fire service, confirmed the transition from major incident management to the recovery phase, highlighting the collaborative effort involved in addressing the significant environmental impact of the fire.