Large parts of England and Wales are experiencing an 'exceptional' wildfire risk as a persistent heatwave drives soaring temperatures, prompting health alerts and leading to widespread hosepipe bans. Natural England has warned that three successive heatwaves and a prolonged lack of rain have created an elevated risk across the country. Some areas in the south Midlands and southern England are facing the highest risk level.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber and yellow heat health alerts, in effect from Sunday morning through Wednesday evening. An amber alert covers the West Midlands and South West England, with officials cautioning of significant impacts on health and social care services, including a potential rise in mortality among the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. Yellow alerts are in place for the North West, East Midlands, East of England, London, and the South East, with similar impacts possible, including an increase in water-related incidents.
The heightened fire risk has led the London Fire Brigade to advise against the use of disposable barbecues over the weekend. Between Saturday and Monday, London's fire risk has been elevated from 'elevated' to 'extreme' due to high temperatures and strong winds. IMAGE2
Recent incidents underscore the severity of the situation. On Friday, wildfires near Stratford station in London led to the evacuation and temporary closure of the station, with 60 firefighters battling the blaze. Last month, a large wildfire burned for up to 24 hours near Tintwistle Moor in Derbyshire. IMAGE3
The Metropolitan Police have urged the public to use 999 only for immediate danger or ongoing crimes, directing other incidents to be reported online due to a surge in emergency calls during the hot weather.
The Met Office forecasts temperatures to continue exceeding 30C (86F) across parts of England and Wales in the coming days. While thunderstorms may develop in the south from Monday, most areas are expected to remain dry and hot. Deputy Chief Forecaster David Hayter noted that central and southern England and Wales will experience consecutive days above 30C before the heat gradually shifts westward. Parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland could see heatwave conditions return midweek, though northern Scotland is expected to remain cooler.
This year has already seen several weather records broken, with 2026 marking the first time temperatures have reached 35C (95F) on six separate days in the UK. This surpasses the previous record of five days, shared by 1976 and 2020. This year also became the first to record temperatures of 35C or higher across three calendar months and 34C (93.2F) or higher on nine separate dates.
Forecasters anticipate the heatwave may begin to break by Thursday as a shift in weather patterns ends the prolonged dry spell, with an increasing risk of showers and thunderstorms, particularly in southern parts of the UK.
In response to the intense heat and dry conditions, several water companies have implemented hosepipe bans. Anglian Water's restrictions affect five million customers in parts of eastern England, while about 850,000 people in Kent are under a South East Water ban. Cambridge Water will begin its first hosepipe ban in three decades on Friday, affecting 350,000 customers. Affinity Water's ban will impact almost four million customers across London and the South East starting Friday. These restrictions come after successive heatwaves followed the warmest spring on record for England and Wales, intensifying pressure on water supplies.
Tragically, the hot weather has also been linked to water-related fatalities. In recent days, three people have died in incidents near water. The body of an 18-year-old man was recovered near Darley Abbey Mills, Derby, following a distress incident involving two teenagers. Another 18-year-old man died at Dovestone Reservoir in Oldham on Friday. In Scotland, the body of a woman was recovered from the Falls of Falloch after she encountered difficulties in the water.