Fire services across the UK are urging the public to stop dialling 999 unless there is a real emergency, after being inundated with calls following Friday's wildfire warning. The government's emergency alert, sent to mobile phones, warned people not to light anything that could spark a wildfire, including barbecues and garden incinerators, and placed a temporary ban on disposable barbecues.
Emergency alert triggers wave of calls
The alert, triggered at the request of firefighters, described Britain as a "tinderbox" and Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the public to take the warning "seriously". However, several fire services have now asked people to only call in a genuine emergency, reporting significant numbers of calls after the alert.
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."
Services ask for genuine emergencies only
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service appreciated the public's "vigilance", but in a Facebook statement asked people to call 999 only if there is "a genuine emergency or an immediate risk to life, property or the environment". South Wales Fire and Rescue Service also asked for 999 calls only to report "a new emergency", saying: "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."
Wildfires cause destruction
Meanwhile, 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.
