The whole of Wales has been declared in drought, as the UK continues to grapple with extreme heat, wildfires and dry conditions that experts say may last into autumn. The country has endured its fourth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures exceeding 35C, and health authorities warn England is on track to record the highest number of heat-related deaths since records began.
Wildfire on Suffolk Coast
Firefighters are battling a large heathland blaze at Dunwich Heath on the Suffolk coast, where properties including a holiday park have been evacuated and roads closed. Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident, with the fire covering approximately 100 hectares. The blaze, which is affecting National Trust and RSPB nature reserves, broke out amid temperatures that reached 35.2C in Writtle, Essex, on Wednesday – the seventh day of 2026 to record 35C or higher. The previous record of five such days was set in 1976 and matched in 2020.
Fire chiefs warn that blazes could burn for days in remote locations due to challenging terrain and extreme temperatures, and are calling for sustained investment in specialist training, modern equipment and research. They urge the public to dispose of cigarettes safely, avoid disposable barbecues and take litter home to reduce fire risk. EDF, operator of the nearby Sizewell B nuclear power station, said the fire is not affecting operations but that they are monitoring closely.
Heat-Related Deaths
Essex Police reported that a man died after getting into difficulty in the sea at Frinton on Thursday, despite the efforts of emergency services. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it is likely that 2026 could see the highest number of heat-associated deaths on record, surpassing figures from 2022 when monitoring began. Data shows there have been almost double the number of excess deaths caused by heatwaves so far this year compared to all of last summer.
An estimated 2,877 heat-associated deaths occurred during the May and June heatwaves, with 753 associated with the May heatwave (24-27 May) and 2,124 with the June heatwave (21-28 June). An earlier analysis by Imperial College London, the Met Office and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine projected 2,700 excess deaths for those periods, attributing two-fifths to extra heat caused by climate change.
Dry Conditions to Persist
Temperatures are expected to cool into the weekend, with some unsettled weather and rainfall forecast next week, but it is unlikely to deliver the persistent, heavy rain needed to make up for the current shortfall. Met Office chief meteorologist Will Lang said: “While there is always the potential for periods of rain during the remainder of the summer, current forecasts do not favour the widespread, sustained rainfall that would be needed to make a significant difference to rainfall deficits that have built up over recent months. As we move through August, there remains a tendency towards drier than average conditions, particularly in southern and eastern areas. Meaningful recovery from prolonged dry conditions often relies on more frequent and widespread rainfall during the autumn months, when weather patterns typically become more changeable.”
Some 23 million customers are under hosepipe bans, nearly 1,400 businesses have stopped abstracting water, and the dry, hot conditions have hit river flows, wildlife, crops and livestock. The harvest has come early, with poorer yields for cereals, livestock farmers using winter feed due to poor grass growth, and on-farm reservoirs likely to run out during August in drought areas. Hard-baked earth is expected to cause problems for harvesting potatoes and carrots.
Calls for Action
Farmers are calling for measures to make agriculture more climate-resilient, including easier construction of on-farm reservoirs and flexible abstraction licences. The National Trust, which has experienced wildfires at several sites including Dunwich Heath, is demanding action to help people adapt, such as building homes fit for the future, creating wetter landscapes, cooling towns and cities, and supporting communities.
National Trust director general Hilary McGrady called for “steps now to protect our health, our heritage and our way of life”, but warned against accepting such extremes as the new normal. She said: “Every nation has to tackle the problem at source – and that means leaving fossil fuels in the ground. Andy Burnham and his government must not stall in their response. The UK has responded to enormous challenges over the last century, and with enough will and strong leadership, it can do so again.”
