Millions of people across England and Wales were sent a government emergency alert on Friday evening, with a siren-like warning urging residents and visitors not to do anything that could spark a wildfire. The alert sounded on phones from around 7pm on Friday 14 August, prompting startled reactions online.
Alert details and warnings
The alert warned against disposable barbecues, fire pits, garden incinerators and fireworks, adding: “Even a small flame can rapidly develop into a major wildfire placing lives, homes, businesses and emergency responders at risk.” People were also told to follow official updates and call 999 immediately if they spot signs of a fire.
The warning comes as firefighters continue to tackle blazes across the country following weeks of exceptionally hot and dry weather, with ministers stepping up efforts to prevent further fires with a disposable barbecue ban.
Government response and statements
First Secretary Louise Haigh said: “In response to the continued risk proposed by wildfires, the government has taken the decision to issue an Emergency Alert to England and Wales. This is the most extensive use of the UK’s Emergency Alert system in response to an active incident, and reflects the seriousness with which the government is acting to safeguard people and property.”
She added: “During this period of extreme heat, we are asking people to take simple steps to limit the risk of further fires. By following the safety guidance, everyone can play their part in protecting local communities and supporting our frontline services who are working around the clock to keep people safe. The government will continue to provide every assistance to communities being impacted by these fires, including the deployment of 100 additional military personnel in major incident areas.”
Impact and public reaction
Britain has been battered by heatwaves in recent months, facing its fifth of the year in what the Met Office say is the hottest summer on record.
Andy Burnham also urged people to take “the greatest of care” as the country heads into the weekend, warning against lighting anything outdoors. He told reporters in Stourbridge: “Britain is a tinderbox right now, and please just have that in your mind. We’re going to go into the rest of the weekend. This is not over by any means. We’ve got 37 fires smouldering around the country, so it could be more. So please bear that in mind at all times.”
Burnham, who has previously dealt with wildfires in Greater Manchester, said the scale of the destruction had shocked him. He said: “I’ve never seen anything like it. I mean, I dealt with wildfires in Greater Manchester, but nothing on this scale. I’ve never seen scenes like this in Britain, where you just see a whole house gutted, smouldering.”
The sudden warning quickly sparked reaction online, with some people admitting the loud alarm had caught them off guard. One X user said: “now why the hell did no one say we were getting an emergency alert. thought the f**king world was ending the way i just heard the entire street’s phones blaring from my garden.” Another said: “this alert scared me so bad my heart rate spiked to like 190 and I passed out on my kitchen floor i need my propranolol.” One user in Wales also complained about the language used in the message, writing: “Why would they send an emergency alert with no English translation at all???? This is not practical at all???? Not every Welsh person is fluent????”
The Emergency Alerts system was launched in April 2023 and allows warnings to be sent directly to compatible mobile phones where there is a danger to life. It has previously been used during major incidents including Storm Éowyn in January 2025, when around 4.5 million people across Scotland and Northern Ireland received an urgent warning over extreme weather.
