Britons are being cautioned against holding barbecues or lighting bonfires in response to a series of significant wildfires. The UK has already encountered as many scorching 30C days in 2026 as it did during the notorious heatwave of 1976, according to the Met Office. Despite many people enjoying the sunny weather with outdoor barbecues, the prolonged lack of rain has left the country with extremely dry vegetation, fueling numerous wildfires.
The soaring temperatures reached a peak of 30.1C in Hurn, Dorset, on Monday, marking the ninth consecutive day where temperatures exceeded 30C somewhere in the UK. The recent heatwave in June also saw temperatures climb above 30C for seven consecutive days.
Fire and rescue teams are facing challenges as they battle wildfires, with seven English regions issued yellow heat-health alerts until Friday by the UKHSA. The North West, South West, South East, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, and London are all under these warnings.
In North Wales, authorities advised against entering the area near Capelulo village, where numerous homes were evacuated due to a wildfire at Conwy Mountain. Matt Rowe, group manager for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, highlighted the careless disposal of cigarettes or barbecues as the primary cause of recent wildfires in the region.
Over 60 firefighters were required to combat a wildfire at Blackwater in Hampshire, near Camberley in Surrey, on Saturday. Rowe described the challenging firefighting conditions due to the rough terrain and limited access, exacerbated by strong winds.
With an extreme weather warning in place for wildfires, people are urged to refrain from having bonfires at home and to ensure water is available when having barbecues. The National Fire Chiefs Council Chairman, Phil Garrigan, emphasized the heightened risk of wildfires during the hot weather, urging the public to take precautions to prevent fires from starting and spreading rapidly.
The Met Office forecasts the heatwave to persist across much of the UK this week, with temperatures peaking at around 33C in parts of southern-central England on Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to cool down by the weekend, dropping to the mid to high-20s for many areas by Saturday.
