A NUCLEAR power station in England is "on alert" due to a nearby wildfire, according to reports.
Sizewell B, in Suffolk, is reportedly concerned about a "large scale" forest fire, which is currently blazing three miles north of the station, changing directions, according to The Times.
Much of the UK is on high alert for wildfires, which have been caused by record-breaking temperatures in the last couple of weeks.
North of the Border, firefighters are starting to make “significant progress” in tackling a wildfire in the Cairngorms that first broke out two weeks ago.
So far more than 500 firefighters have been deployed to fight the blaze, which has devastated an estimated 25 square kilometres of land and has led to residents being evacuated.
A source familiar with the operations of Sizewell B told The Times there are "concerns" regarding the station's ventilation and air conditioning systems.
They said: "The smoke is currently bellowing out to sea but if the wind direction changes or it spreads closer and heads to Sizewell it will be sucked into the HVAC systems and get inside all the buildings."
However, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has said there is "no current risk" to the nuclear power station due to its distance from the fire and the fact that the blaze is travelling in an easterly direction.
A statement said: "At this time there is no current risk to Sizewell B, due to the distance from the fire and the direction it is travelling (easterly).
“However, this is a live and dynamic situation and as a result any further updates will be shared accordingly.”
Energy supplier EDF also said the wildfire is “not currently affecting operations at Sizewell B power station”, adding that teams are “continuing to monitor the situation”.
It is understood Sizewell B has an emergency plan in place that covers a range of scenarios including a fire on site, which, at the time of writing, has not needed to be activated in relation to the wildfire.
Around 90 firefighters are said to be tackling the "large scale, wind-driven forestry fire" which first broke out at nearby Dunwich Heath on Wednesday, and is now spreading east.
Sizewell B provides around 3% of the UK's electricity, according to The Times.
It comes as around half of England was officially declared to be in drought on Wednesday, with the Met Office warning that current forecasts "do not favour the widespread, sustained rainfall" which is needed to make up the shortfall caused by recent dry conditions.
Met Office chief meteorologist Will Lang said: “While there is always the potential for periods of rain during the remainder of the summer, current forecasts do not favour the widespread, sustained rainfall that would be needed to make a significant difference to rainfall deficits that have built up over recent months.
“As we move through August, there remains a tendency towards drier than average conditions, particularly in southern and eastern areas.
“Meaningful recovery from prolonged dry conditions often relies on more frequent and widespread rainfall during the autumn months, when weather patterns typically become more changeable.”
