A recent wildfire at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk has raised concerns about unexploded World War II ordnance. The National Trust is deploying drones to survey the area, which has been significantly damaged by the fire, exposing potential hazards that have lain buried for decades.
The fire, which destroyed over 100 hectares of heathland, has prompted authorities to warn the public to stay away from the site. With vegetation cleared, the risk of encountering unexploded bombs has increased, as the area was previously used for military training during the war.
Two unexploded ordnance items have already been found and detonated, with experts anticipating more discoveries. The drone surveys aim to identify safe paths for future access and to facilitate soil testing for any remaining ordnance.
As climate change leads to hotter, drier summers, incidents like this may become more common, highlighting the need for ongoing vigilance in areas with historical military activity. The National Trust emphasizes that the site will remain closed until it is deemed safe for public access.
Source: LBC News
