Wildfire expert delivers sobering warning about impact of climate change

Wildfire expert delivers sobering warning about impact of climate change EXCLUSIVE: Andy Elliott spoke out after a spate of blazes in recent days, including in Suffolk, where firefighters tonight continue to tackle flames for a fourth successive day Devastating wildfires are set to become the new normal, a top consultant has warned today. Andy Elliott, who has 35 years experience as a firefighter and consultant, says conditions across the UK are becoming very challenging and the government can do more to help land managers and the fire service, including by providing better personal protective equipment. The alert comes after blazes ripped through Suffolk and other parts of the country in recent days. Mr Elliott told the Mirror: "Compared to 20 years ago, it will be much more frequent. It's likely to happen almost every year. This will be the new normal. "They are going to become much more frequent. There will be years when we get the odd wet summer, but we can expect to see more flooding in the winter and more frequent hot periods, resulting in drought conditions in the summer." Increasing threat to life Speaking about the threat to human life, he added: "We should expect to see an increase in wildfires and we should expect to see loss of life. The risk to human life increases all the time. "We only need to look at France and Spain where people have lost their lives - they're fighting very similar wildfires. The British public need to be aware of that. It's very challenging." Mr Elliott spoke out as firefighters today continue to tackle the Suffolk wildfire, on Dunwich Heath, close to Sizewell B nuclear power station, for a fourth successive day. At its height, it was estimated to span 370 acres – the size of about 220 football pitches. Suffolk wildfire continues Around 200 families, including residents and holidaymakers staying in caravans and lodges near the heath, were evacuated around two miles to a pop-up rescue centre at Westleton Village Hall late on Wednesday night after police banged on their doors telling them they were in danger. The National Trust, which have been caring for Dunwich Heath since 1968, have launched a public appeal for donations to help restore the site to its former glory. There were also other ongoing blazes yesterday, including across Europe. Speaking about the Dunwich Heath fire, a Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "The situation remains stable, although firefighting operations continue and crews are responding to hotspots where they emerge. Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service and supporting agencies have the resources they need on scene and work continues to create a large firebreak around the perimeter of the site. A Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue spokesperson said their teams expect to carry on working alongside firefighters until Monday night at the earliest. They added: "The main tasking is focused around using drone technology to identify hot spots and areas of reignition. "We are in awe of the efforts of the firefighters, who are working relentlessly around the clock, and we are grateful to have the drone capability to be able to assist their work." Western Europe ravaged by wildfires There have also been wildfires across Europe in recent weeks, again following huge rises in temperatures. Firefighters held a vast wildfire inside its perimeter in southwestern France today, allowing about 198,000 people to return home after what may have been the country’s largest peacetime evacuation. But other fires have forced thousands from their homes elsewhere in France and Greece. In the Mediterranean Var, a fire thought to have stopped advancing raced across 10 square kilometers (4 square miles) in six hours on Friday. The opposing movements — mass returns in France's Gironde region, renewed displacement in the Var and boat evacuations from a Greek resort — underscored how quickly days of firefighting progress can be reversed. At their peak, fires in France and Spain alone drove a third of a million people from homes and vacation sites, stretching firefighters, aircraft and emergency services across simultaneous crises.