Fire services across the UK say they have received a wave of calls after an emergency alert was sent to mobile phones. The government warning was triggered on Friday evening to warn people not to light anything which could spark a wildfire, including barbecues and garden incinerators.
Prime Minister's warning
Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Friday described Britain as a "tinderbox". He told members of the public to take the warning “seriously” and said it was triggered at the request of firefighters.
However a number of fire services have now asked people to only call in a real emergency. Many reported significant numbers of calls following the alert.
Fire services respond
Surrey Fire & Rescue Service was among those experiencing a “high volume” of 999 calls. In a statement on X, the service said: “Please only call 999 if there is an emergency or a fire producing significant smoke.
"We understand residents may be concerned, but we are unable to respond to reports of neighbours having BBQs, bonfires or campfires in their gardens unless there is an emergency.” The service said it supported the Government’s message and advised against bonfires, fireworks, campfires or disposable barbecues in the dry conditions.
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service said it appreciated the public’s “vigilance”, but in a statement on Facebook asked people to call 999 only if there is “a genuine emergency or an immediate risk to life, property or the environment”.
Recent wildfires
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service asked for 999 calls only to report “a new emergency”. It said: "We are currently receiving a high volume of 999 calls following the UK Government's severe alert issued this evening about the increased risk of wildfires.
"Please only call 999 if you have a new emergency to report to the Fire Service or our partners in the police and ambulance service."
Four 14-year-old boys were bailed on Friday after being arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire was set on a mountain near Pleasant Heights in Porth, South Wales, according to police.
Nineteen homes were destroyed on Thursday in a wildfire in the West Midlands which spread across more than 500 acres in Stourbridge.
