The Met Office has issued extreme heat warnings for 12 counties across Britain as temperatures are set to climb to 38C during the fifth heatwave of the summer. A firefighters' union leader has declared a wildfire "national emergency" for the UK, while the Met Office has said Britain is on course for its hottest summer on record.
Amber warnings and soaring temperatures
Uncommon amber "extreme heat" warnings have been issued for areas spanning London, the South East, East Midlands, East of England, West Midlands and South Yorkshire. The alerts are effective from 9am Tuesday (August 11) through to midnight on Thursday (August 13).
Temperatures could climb to 33C on Wednesday before reaching peaks of 37C or 38C on Thursday, the Met Office reports. Met Office chief forecaster Chris Bulmer said: "While the peak heat will be more short-lived than recent heatwaves, temperatures widely into the mid-30s Celsius on Thursday brings the potential for impacts for some, which is why a Met Office warning has been issued."
Health alerts and wildfire emergency
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued its own amber heat health alerts for all regions, running from Tuesday at 9am through to Friday (August 14) at 9pm. These alerts warn when extreme temperatures are likely to affect the health and wellbeing of the population.
Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright told Times Radio the country is facing a national emergency "right now", with blazes seen "all across" the UK. According to the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), firefighters have responded to 966 wildfires across England and Wales this year, including 185 during the first 10 days of August alone. July was the busiest month on record for wildfires, with 458 incidents logged.
Mr Wright said: "In many parts of the country, firefighters do not have the new modern equipment to deal with these. They do not have the new modern personal protective equipment, the lightweight fire kit that we wear, the right helmets, lightweight helmets, breathable uniforms to make sure they're better protected, their health is protected when they're out dealing with these incidents for hours and hours on end."
Drought and water restrictions
Almost three quarters of England and the entirety of Wales are now experiencing drought, following a record dry July and exceptionally dry start to August. Southern Water has applied for a drought order that would prohibit businesses from non-essential water usage, including washing vehicles and filling non-domestic swimming pools.
The firm said an "exceptional" lack of rainfall had threatened supplies in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, cautioning that 165,000 residents in the Southampton West supply area could face restricted supplies. Environment Secretary Angela Eagle will decide on the application, which would be the first such prohibition since May 2006.
Water stations have been set up in Ilford, east London, and Chigwell, Essex, following burst water mains that left properties without water or with reduced pressure since Sunday, Thames Water confirmed. Record-breaking heatwaves in May and June resulted in more than 2,800 fatalities, while England and Wales saw their driest July since records began in 1836. The Environment Agency reported that 71.3% of England is currently experiencing "flash drought".
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "I want to thank NHS staff who are once again stepping up to cope with the extra pressures that hot weather brings. Extreme heat can be dangerous, so staying aware of warnings and alerts in place can make a real difference."
