Millions of people received a major emergency warning on their mobiles last night in “the most extensive use” of the UK’s alert system.
People across the UK were warned not to light anything that could spark a wildfire, including barbecues and garden incinerators. The Government sent the emergency alert on Friday evening, which began appearing on mobile devices from 7pm.
Prime Minister urges public to take warning seriously
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has told members of the public to take the warning “seriously”, and said it was triggered at the request of firefighters. It comes after the latest major UK wildfire in the West Midlands, where 19 homes were destroyed on Thursday, the hottest day of the year so far.
The message which appeared on mobile devices was “the most extensive use of the UK’s emergency alert system in response to an active incident”, Cabinet Office minister Louise Haigh, the First Secretary of State, said.
She said the decision to send the alert “reflects the seriousness with which the Government is acting to safeguard people and property”. But Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart criticised the decision to send out an alert, highlighting that “an immediate risk to life” should exist before it is used.
What the alert said
The alert read: “There is a very high risk of wildfires nationally.
“Residents, landowners and visitors should not undertake any activity that could start a fire, including disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators or fireworks.
“Even a small flame can rapidly develop into a major wildfire placing lives, homes, businesses and emergency responders at risk. Follow official updates and report signs of fire immediately by calling 999.”
Mr Burnham wrote on X: “This evening, an emergency alert has been sent to people across England and Wales as the wildfire risk remains very high. The request came directly from fire and rescue services.
“I was in Stourbridge today and saw first-hand the devastating impact these fires have had on people’s homes and lives. Our priority now is to keep everyone safe and prevent more fires from starting.
“During this period of extreme heat, I’m asking everyone to take extra care. Please do not light any fires in gardens, the countryside or other open spaces, including parks, moorland and wooded areas.
“Our firefighters and emergency responders are working around the clock in incredibly difficult conditions.
“We can all help them. Please take the emergency alert seriously and follow the guidance in place.”
Barbecue ban and aerial support
The Prime Minister earlier announced a ban on disposable barbecues in England, Wales and Scotland has come into force “until further notice”.
He said: “The temporary ban on barbecues, disposable barbecues, comes in today. All retailers will be receiving notification of that ban, and we ask them to, obviously, implement it in full until further notice when we can remove it.”
Aerial firefighting support, such as aeroplanes and helicopters similar to those used to fight fires in Suffolk and the Isle of Wight earlier this summer, will be “commissioned nationally”.
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart criticised the decision to send out an alert, highlighting that “an immediate risk to life” should exist before it is used.
“Tonight’s use at a national level clearly doesn’t hit that threshold and opens the door to future misuse of the system,” the Conservative frontbencher wrote on X.
“Labour needs to publish who signed off the decision to use the alert and the criteria that they were using.”
Heat health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are in place until 10am on Saturday across London, the South East, the South West, the East of England, the East Midlands and the West Midlands.
