Prime Minister Andy Burnham has warned that the warm weather could continue for "some weeks yet" as temperatures continue to surge. The mercury is expected to reach around 37C in London in the coming days, with Wales experiencing up to 33C.
Record wildfires and excess deaths
England and Wales have already experienced as many wildfires this year as the record-breaking numbers seen in 2025. According to data released by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), some 1,017 wildfires have been recorded in England and Wales this year.
The Prime Minister stated there had been a "significant number of excess deaths from heat this summer already" and encouraged the public to heed health guidance, including keeping in touch with elderly friends and relatives.
Government response and retailer guidance
When questioned about whether there remained justification for extracting the remaining North Sea fossil fuel reserves given the consequences of climate change, Mr Burnham responded: "It is really important that we deal today with the situation that we are in right now and we focus on making sure that we have the serious incidents under control across the country, and those incidents are under control."
He subsequently added: "The bigger questions obviously will come at the right moment in time. But I have said that we have had it all but confirmed that this is the hottest summer on record, and as we go through it, we need to realise that these conditions could be with us for some weeks yet."
"There is some rain forecast, but not necessarily rain that will change the situation fundamentally. So we are looking at a dry prospect going forward."
The extreme heat in recent months has prompted the PM to call for "all retailers big and small" to take barbecues off their shelves. It came after he chaired an emergency Cobra committee meeting to discuss the extended period of exceptionally hot and dry weather.
Most major UK supermarkets have halted sales of disposable barbecues in recent weeks, following voluntary guidance issued by the NFCC. Mr Burnham called on all shops to cease selling them and suggested that an outright ban could be contemplated for future summers.
Wildfire risk and drought conditions
He said: "The big risk in terms of risk to the wider regions across the country is the risk of wildfires. What we are seeing is multiple serious incidents across the country."
"Fire services, by and large, are supporting each other through mutual aid to deal with those incidents but we are keeping a very close watching brief on them. There is advice to the public here not to use disposable barbecues. We have today confirmed through the National Fire Chiefs Council that the framework restricting the retail sale of those disposable barbecues is being extended."
"Now I would ask all retailers big and small to adhere to that framework. Longer term we will look at whether a temporary ban in the summer months is justified."
Fire chiefs have cautioned that the extended dry period combined with soaring temperatures has transformed parts of the country into a "tinderbox". NFCC chairman Phil Garrigan told PA: "Most wildfires in the UK are caused because of human behaviours, careless, accidental or unfortunately intentional acts."
"But as climate change brings more frequent periods of hot, dry weather, the conditions for wildfires are becoming more dangerous, increasing their scale and intensity. Hot, dry weather and drought are turning parts of the UK into tinderbox landscapes, allowing fires to spread faster, burn longer and place greater pressure on fire and rescue services."
Nearly three-quarters of England alongside the entirety of Wales are experiencing drought conditions, placing enormous strain on water supplies for homes, farming and the natural environment, while temperatures are forecast to reach as high as 38C across certain areas of England on Thursday.
She also called on the Government to introduce measures to help the UK adapt to climbing temperatures, including the installation of air conditioning in hospitals, schools and for vulnerable households.
During the most recent heatwave, the Met Office has issued rare amber "extreme heat" warnings covering London and areas of the South East, East Midlands, East of England, West Midlands and South Yorkshire, in effect from 9am to midnight on Thursday.
