National Trust launches fundraising drive over ‘devastation’ at Suffolk reserve

Firefighters are still tackling a blaze which has caused “total devastation” to heathland in Suffolk, and the National Trust has announced a public appeal to restore the reserve.The charity has launched an emergency fundraising drive after the wildfire ripped through Dunwich Heath, near Leiston, leaving the landscape “unrecognisable”.National Trust director-general Hilary McGrady has described the “heartbreaking” loss of an important habitat which was home to rare species.The charity said the heath was an important area for wildlife such as nightjars, skylarks and the rare Dartford warbler, as well as adders, lizards and slow worms, and butterflies including the rare silver-studded blue.The lowland heath habitat is one of the UK’s rarest, and an estimated 92% of it has been lost in England over the last 120 years, it added.In a statement on Friday, Ms McGrady said: “We are looking at total devastation of a beloved and important landscape.“We’ve lost precious habitats, wildlife, trees, and a place where people have made memories over generations. It’s heartbreaking.Smoke at the scene of the wildfire at Dunwich Heath (Humphrey Nemar/PA)PA Wire“But together we can and will restore Dunwich and, crucially, make it more resilient and better adapted for the climate we’re facing now, and the climate we’ll be facing in future.“We’re working hard to tackle climate change and prepare for more of it, but there’s more hard work to be done.“We can’t do it alone. We’re a charity that relies on public support in so many ways. If you can donate, however much, please don’t hesitate.Read More“Your money will go directly to the restoration of Dunwich, to regrow habitats and homes for wildlife, build more resilience into the landscape, and return this iconic place to the nation.”Suffolk’s fire service said the situation was ‘dynamic and potentially changeable’ (Joe Giddens/PA)PA WireSuffolk Fire and Rescue Service said crews have made “good progress” in tackling the wildfire but the situation remained “dynamic and potentially changeable”.Footage of the scene shows the once grassy, coastal area known for its carpet of purple heather reduced to a charred, barren landscape, which is still smouldering.Crews continued to battle the blaze on Friday, and evacuated residents and holidaymakers were given a short window of opportunity to collect essential belongings under police escort.Firefighters across the country have been tackling similar but smaller fires.The risk of fresh outbreaks remains high (Joe Giddens/PA)PA WireMore than 20 fire services have been responding to fires amid hot and dry conditions which have left half of England and all of Wales in drought.Crews in Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Cheshire, London, North Wales, Yorkshire, Co Durham and Darlington, Berkshire, Leicestershire, Bedfordshire, Greater Manchester, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Humberside, Dorset and Wiltshire, Devon and Somerset, Nottinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Kent, Merseyside, West Sussex, Surrey, and Norfolk have all reported dealing with fires in the open.On Tuesday, the National Fire Chiefs Council said more than 200 wildfires had been reported in England and Wales in less than two weeks, and wildfire risk remained “elevated”.