Anna Hartz
Britain is facing another dangerous summer as dry weather and extreme heat leave large parts of the country at high risk of wildfires.
Several fires have already broken out, and authorities are warning people that even a small flame could quickly turn into a serious blaze.
The summer of 2026 has been both unusually hot and dry across Britain. July was the driest month ever recorded in England and Wales since measurements began in 1836. Temperatures above 40 degrees have also left the countryside extremely dry.
Emergency warnings on phones
The heat is expected to continue in August. Millions of people in England and Wales received a national emergency warning on their mobile phones from fire and rescue services, according to DR. They were told to be extremely careful when using fire outdoors.
The warning was so widespread that fire services have now asked people not to call 999 every time they see someone using an outdoor flame. They said emergency calls should be made only when there is a genuine danger. The move is intended to prevent emergency services from becoming overwhelmed.
The British government also introduced a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues because of the serious wildfire risk created by the heatwave.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged people to take the warnings seriously. He asked the public not to light fires in gardens, parks, forests or other areas with dry vegetation.
He also warned people to be careful when using barbecues and equipment such as weed burners.
Preventative efforts
An emergency alert was sent across England and Wales as officials tried to reduce the number of new fires. Burnham said the main priority was protecting people and preventing more fires from starting during the extreme heat.
The prime minister recently visited areas of West Midlands that had been badly damaged by wildfires. He said Britain could not accept forest and countryside fires becoming the new normal.
Burnham also said the country must do more to deal with climate change and prepare for increasingly extreme weather.
The warnings come as firefighters continue dealing with difficult conditions. Dry vegetation can allow fires to spread rapidly, while hot weather makes it harder for crews to bring them under control.
For people across England and Wales, authorities are urging simple caution. A barbecue, campfire or garden flame can become a serious problem within minutes when the ground is this dry.
