A Suffolk wildfire burning an area equivalent to the size of 140 football pitches is not yet under control, Suffolk fire service says
The fire is no risk to nearby nuclear power station Sizewell B, Suffolk's fire chief says - operator EDF says it is "closely monitoring the situation"
The blaze broke out on Dunwich Heath in Suffolk on Wednesday, with a major incident declared "due to the size and complexity" of the blaze - here's what we know so far
A nearby caravan park and holiday park have been evacuated, as one park manager says "we're still on full alert" - no injuries have been reported so far
Rob and Lisa Gordon, who were on holiday on the Suffolk coast before being evacuated last night, say: "We've just got the clothes we were standing in really"
Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he'll make sure the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has all the support it needs
As we told you earlier, the operator of Sizewell B power station says the fire is "not affecting operations".
Three miles (5km) of trees and fields separates the plant and the blaze, which is affecting the heathland further north up the coast.
As you can see, the wind has been blowing the smoke out towards the sea.
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA MediaGreen 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.
Image source, Christina McSorley/BBCPillows, toys and other items have been delivered to the relief centre at Westleton Village Hall this afternoon, for those affected.
The advice from officials for those who have been evacuated is to visit the centre for support.
Zoie O'Brien
in Westleton
Image source, Jamie Niblock/BBCDilys Hall helped take in some of the people who had to be evacuated.
Things were very cosy at her home where she housed four people and two dogs. Her sister's house, which was empty, had another four people.
Her next door neighbour, who was also away, offered their house for another five people and a dog.
"We've got a village Whatsapp group and there were messages pinging all over about the fire and the implications across the board," she says.
"The community is brilliant here. The Whatsapp group before last night was about 42 residents and it went up overnight to 68."
The 78-year-old, who has helped coordinate accommodation for other people, says many were either evacuated straight back to their homes or to friends and relatives.
"Apart from the sheer fire, the smoke is really really problematic and that mostly seems to be what affected the people who were evacuated."
It has now been almost 24 hours since firefighters were called to Dunwich Heath.
Here is what we know so far:
Image source, ReutersEmaan Warraich
The National Trust's director general, Hilary McGrady, says the UK should prepare for more frequent and severe wildfires, as countries including France and Spain continue to respond to major blazes. She called on the government to strengthen its approach to tackling climate change.
McGrady 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.
"So we need action and we need political will. We must adapt, urgently, to these conditions."
Image source, Suffolk County CouncilScenes from part of Dunwich Heath where the fire has burned through have been shared by Suffolk County Council.
Image source, Suffolk County Council
Vikki Irwin
in Westleton
Chief fire officer Jon Lacey at Westleton Village Hall says it is too early to say at the moment if more people will need to be evacuated around Dunwich.
He adds that the fire is not getting any bigger, but it is travelling inland.
"I am devastated for the communities that are affected by this," he adds.
Image source, Getty ImagesPrime Minister Andy Burnham says Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service will have "all the support" it needs to deal with the wildfire at Dunwich.
"We’ve got the situation under close monitoring, and I’m receiving regular updates," he says.
“It is a very serious incident. I will make sure that Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service have all of the support, the mutual aid, the other services that they need, and any other resources that need to be brought to bear.”
Image source, Christina McSorley/BBCChief fire officer Jon Lacey says the blaze is still not under control and that "dozens" of people have been evacuated from their homes and the caravan park.
In total, 61 names have been registered at Westleton Village Hall where a rest centre has been established.
He expects crews to remain at the scene for the next 24 to 36 hours, with 120 firefighters and 18 fire engines currently on the scene.Lacey reiterates that there is no risk to nearby Sizewell B or C.
By Alex Murray and Barbara Metzler
BBC Verify has been looking into what satellite imagery and other data can tell us about the wildfire’s impact and spread.
Data from European wildfire detection platform EFFIS suggests at least 85 hectares has been burned so far.
Suffolk County Council has just said about 100 hectares is currently burning. This discrepancy can be explained by the fact the satellite data is currently low resolution and therefore may not show the full detail on the ground yet.
Image source, EFFISWe have also examined what Nasa’s fire-detection platform FIRMS can tell us about the blaze.
The first detection was yesterday at around 20:30 BST. This is more than three hours after the fire reportedly started, as it can take some time for a fire to grow enough to be detected.
Because FIRMS looks for differences in heat levels on the Earth’s surface, some of these thermal anomalies appear to be over the sea - or places on land which are not necessarily burning - as the wind pushes extremely hot air and smoke away from the fire itself.
Image source, Nasa FIRMSVikki Irwin
in Westleton
Image source, Vikki Irwin/BBCRob Gordon had been staying at Cliff House Holiday Park with his wife Lisa before they were evacuated on Wednesday night.
He says the police arrived at about 22:00 BST and escorted them to Westleton.
"We'd been out that lunchtime, drinking and eating in a bar," he says.
"Obviously we couldn't take my car, so we had to get escorted out by the police.
"Barry, a very kind gentleman has put us up in his cottage last night and for tonight so we're being well looked after, but obviously we would rather be getting on with our holiday.
"We've just got the clothes we were standing in really."
James Kelly
Your Voice
Image source, Candida CookCandida Cook was evacuated from Cliff House Holiday Park last night as the Dunwich Heath wildfire spread.
Earlier in the day, she noticed a burning smell during a beachside walk but couldn't see any smoke and wasn't sure where it was coming from.
"We were left wondering if, and how, we could have reported the smell of smoke in the morning, and, more worryingly, whether it would have made a difference," says Candida, who lives in Framlingham.
"The park, campers and organisers were impressively calm throughout and kept everyone in the cabins well informed. It's an absolutely heartbreaking situation."
Speaking to the BBC earlier, Jon Lacey explained why extra firefighters and resources were needed from elsewhere in the UK.
"A fire of this scale - it starts to eat up fire resources within Suffolk and we need to maintain business as usual for other kinds of incidents that occur and we're unable to do that at the moment satisfactorily."
Image source, Suffolk County Council
Image source, Vikki Irwin/BBCRussell Clement, general manager for the National Trust on the Suffolk coast, says the fire spread across Dunwich Heath due to a change in wind conditions overnight.
He say: "Sadly, the picture that's emerging is that the landscape has been significantly damaged, which will also have a knock-on impact on the wildlife that call Dunwich home.
"This is obviously heartbreaking news, as so many people will have fond memories of this precious landscape, which is normally covered in purple heather at this time of year."
Image source, PA Media
Image source, Salvation ArmyThe devastating fire has been bringing out the best in local people.
The Salvation Army emergency response vehicle was first called at about 19:00 BST and stayed on site until 02:30. It was called again at about 06:00.
Tom Stokes, a volunteer for the charity, says the team has been giving out hot dogs, sandwiches and drinks to the firefighters, from its mobile canteen.
He lives in Stowmarket and arrived at about 08:15 today, joined by up to 20 fellow volunteers. He expects to remain there until teatime.
"We've served about 120 people and are still going strong," he says.
"Everyone's really thankful for us for turning up as we're getting a lot of joy out of that - and chatting to them to break up their day."
Liz Hatten, the manager of the caravan park Dunwich Cliffs Estate in the area, says on Wednesday night she received a message from the park's wardens with reports of smoke before they were told to evacuate.
She says about 50% of their 137 caravans were occupied and visitors were sent to Westleton.
It has been "terrifying" for all of them as the park is surrounded by heathland, she explains.
"We're still on full alert," says Hatten.
"We've asked if we could go back there to pick up medicines and they've said absolutely not.
"Just past us is the National Trust land and that's where the fire is at the moment.
"The wind is in the right direction and it's blowing everything away from us."
Hattens adds that she has seen local farmers at the scene helping to make fire breaks and local roads have been shut.
Images coming in today and overnight show the scale of the raging Suffolk wildfire - officials say it is now burning an area the size of 140 football pitches.
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
Image source, Suffolk Fire and Rescue ServiceLacey says national help is being requested as Suffolk crews are "tired and worn out" after about 20 hours spent tackling this blaze.
Those gathered in the hall erupted into applause to show their appreciation for the firefighters.
Image source, Vikki Irwin/BBCChief fire officer Jon Lacey is talking to those affected by the blaze at Westleton Village Hall.
He says the fire is "still challenging" and "national assets" have been requested to help.
Local authorities, including Suffolk County Council, will provide help to those evacuated, he tells them.
