20/04/2026
Fire at Pegwell Bay NNR
A Serious Impact on a Protected Landscape
We are deeply saddened to report that a fire occurred last night at Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve.
The blaze spread rapidly through the reedbeds and, on inspection this morning, the extent of the damage is significant, with approximately 300 metres of habitat scorched.
Pegwell Bay is both a Ramsar site of international importance and a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). These designations recognise the area’s exceptional ecological value and the critical role it plays in supporting rare and vulnerable species. Damage to such habitats is not only locally devastating but represents a loss of national and international significance.
The fire is believed to have been started deliberately and has occurred during the peak breeding bird season. It is therefore highly likely that nests have been destroyed, reptiles killed, and wildlife severely disturbed. Habitats such as reedbeds are particularly sensitive and slow to recover, meaning the ecological impacts of this incident may be felt for years to come.
This event adds further pressure to a landscape already facing cumulative impacts. We continue to observe the long-term effects of previous infrastructure works, including visible damage associated with the Nemo Link project. Incidents such as this reinforce our concerns regarding proposed large-scale developments, including National Grid’s Sea Link project. We maintain that such schemes risk causing irreversible harm to these fragile and internationally important environments, and we reiterate our call to Rethink Sea Link.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the individual who reported the fire, and to the Kent Fire and Rescue Service for their swift response. While the damage is severe, their prompt action undoubtedly prevented a far worse outcome.
We urge all members of the public to play their part in protecting this special place:
Please respect all site restrictions
Keep dogs under close control at all times
Report any suspicious behaviour
We are also aware of hedge and tree cutting at the top of the cliffs along Sandwich Road, Cliffsend, which is currently under investigation.
Protecting Pegwell Bay requires collective responsibility. Thank you for your continued support in safeguarding this unique and irreplaceable landscape.