Parts of Britain are facing an "exceptional" risk of wildfires this week due to ongoing dry weather, gusty winds, and a heatwave, according to the Met Office's Fire Severity Index (FSI).
The FSI indicates that areas around Chichester and Bognor Regis in West Sussex are most at risk. Other locations flagged with high risk include Andover and Basingstoke in Hampshire, Dorchester and Wimborne Minster in Dorset, Yeovil in Somerset, and Honiton in Devon. The majority of southern England and the Midlands, along with most of Wales, are under a "very high" risk warning, while northern regions face "high," "moderate," or "low" risks.
This heightened risk is attributed to warm and dry conditions combined with strong easterly winds, which are expected to persist throughout the week. Temperatures could reach 35C by Thursday, exacerbating the dry conditions that have led to water usage restrictions from five water firms. London has not recorded rainfall since June 27.
The extreme weather has already contributed to several significant fires. In Walthamstow, east London, residents were evacuated and train services were disrupted after a large fire started on a railway embankment. Approximately 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines responded to the blaze, which spread to the gardens and outbuildings of 30 properties. The London Fire Brigade received 120 emergency calls, and fire crews worked to cool ten hazardous gas cylinders on site. The fire was brought under control by late evening, but the Overground's Weaver line experienced partial suspension and subsequently a full closure between Hackney Downs and Chingford for track repairs.
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue declared a major incident due to a moorland wildfire at Tintwistle Moor. In Greater Manchester, a large moorland fire erupted above Dove Stone Reservoir, with authorities investigating reports of fireworks being set off prior to the blaze. East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service attended a significant fire on the South Downs near Eastbourne and another at Devil's Dyke in West Sussex. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service also declared a major incident for a wildfire near Sychnant Pass on Conwy Mountain, prompting evacuations in the village of Capelulo due to smoke.
Dave Swallow, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) wildfire deputy lead, emphasized that hot and dry conditions significantly increase wildfire risk. He noted that a single spark can ignite a blaze that spreads rapidly, endangering people, homes, wildlife, and the countryside. The NFCC urges the public to exercise extreme caution outdoors, suggesting avoidance of disposable barbecues in natural areas and ensuring cigarettes are fully extinguished. These preventative measures are crucial for stopping fires before they start.
The FSI, which rates wildfire severity based on current weather conditions, supports authorities like Natural England and Natural Resources Wales. If necessary, they can suspend open access rights to vulnerable land. The index does not predict fire ignition points but assesses how factors such as rainfall, drought, wind speed, temperature, and humidity influence fire behavior, drawing a parallel to systems used in the US and New Zealand.