Fire chiefs across the UK are urging the public to avoid barbecues and bonfires as the country experiences its third heatwave of the summer, with extreme wildfire warnings in place. The Met Office confirmed that the UK has already seen as many 30C days in 2026 as during the infamous summer of 1976, with temperatures on Monday peaking at 30.1C in Hurn, Dorset—the ninth consecutive day that 30C has been exceeded somewhere in the country.
Fire crews stretched by multiple wildfires
Fire and rescue services have been stretched as they tackle numerous wildfires, while seven English regions have been issued yellow heat-health alerts by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) through to Friday. The affected regions include the North West, South West, South East, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, and London.
In North Wales, the fire service urged people on Sunday to avoid the area near Capelulo, where dozens of homes were evacuated as crews battled a wildfire at Conwy Mountain. Matt Rowe, group manager for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, stated that the "careless extinguishment of a cigarette or a barbecue" is the "number one cause" of recent wildfires faced by crews in the area.
Extreme weather warning for wildfires
More than 60 firefighters were needed to fight a wildfire at Blackwater in Hampshire, near Camberley in Surrey, on Saturday. "It was about eight hectares of very rough terrain, mainly gorse, and it was actually backed onto a quarry, so we had very difficult access, which made the firefighting conditions very difficult," Mr Rowe told the BBC.
"We are currently under an extreme weather warning for wildfires and that's in particular with this very strong wind that we've got over the last couple of days. We recommend people not to have bonfires at home, and if you are going to have a barbecue, make sure you've got some water available, and if you are going out for the day, take a picnic and not a barbecue."
Fire service urges public to 'do your bit'
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service wrote on Facebook: "The hot and dry weather we are experiencing means there is a significant risk of wildfire across Hampshire and Isle of Wight, which due to the forecasted windy conditions, could spread faster and cause greater damage to our countryside, and make tackling these incidents more challenging. We have attended a number of large grassland fires over the past few days including these two from yesterday in north Hampshire. Please do your bit to stay safe and protect our countryside: No BBQs, Don’t drop cigarettes, Take litter home, No campfires."
Phil Garrigan, chairman of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), warned of the risks: "Fire and rescue services are currently responding to multiple significant wildfires across the UK, with challenging conditions helping fires to spread quickly and over large areas. When vegetation is this dry, it only takes one spark to start a fire. What may begin as a small incident can escalate at speed, placing communities, firefighters and the environment at risk."
Heatwave to continue with peak temperatures
Garrigan added: "We are strongly urging everyone to take extra care while enjoying the outdoors. Avoid using disposable barbecues in parks, moorland, countryside areas and other open spaces, never discard cigarettes on the ground, and make sure any litter is taken home. Wildfires can cause immense damage to landscapes, wildlife, agriculture and local communities, while also placing significant pressure on emergency services. A few simple actions can make a huge difference in helping to prevent fires before they start."
The Met Office said the heatwave is set to continue for much of the UK this week, with temperatures peaking on Wednesday at possible highs of 33C in parts of southern-central England. Temperatures are expected to ease by the second half of the week, with peak temperatures dipping to the mid to high-20s for many by Saturday.
