An emergency alert was sent to phones across England and Wales this evening as ministers step up action to protect communities from the growing threat posed by wildfires. Surrounding areas might also have received the alert.
The alert was sent at around 7pm to phones and other devices, warning people not to light anything that could spark a fire, including barbecues, campfires, and fireworks. It also urged people to report any fire immediately by calling 999.
It comes as firefighters continue to battle wildfires across parts of the country. The full emergency alert said: "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. Search gov.uk/alerts for more information.
Government response
It comes as Andy Burnham has announced a ban on disposable barbecues. 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." More than 1,000 wildfires have been recorded across the country this year.
Compatible phones and tablets vibrated and made a siren sound for roughly 10 seconds. Only those in range of phone masts were expected to receive the alert, that means that anyone who is out of the country would not have got the alert, only those who are within range of a mobile phone mast in the UK and Wales should have.
Why you might not have received the alert
An emergency alert looks and sounds very different to other types of messages you might receive on your phone. You should have heard a loud, siren-like sound and your phone or tablet vibrate.
Some of the reasons why you may not have received the alert includes your device being switched off, connected to 2g or 3g, using a Wi-Fi-only device and having a phone that is not compatible. If your phone is in Airplane mode when the alert is sent you may not get it.
The emergency alert only works on iPhones running iOS 14.5 or later and Android phones and tablets running Android 11 or later. If your device is not running the latest software updates, be sure to install them on your phone or tablet for future test alerts.
What to do when you get an alert
Emergency alerts will only be sent by the emergency services and government departments, agencies and public bodies that deal with emergencies. An alert will include a phone number or a link to the GOV.UK website for more information.
When you get an alert, stop what you're doing and follow the instructions in the alert. If you are driving or riding when you get an alert, do not read or respond to an emergency alert while driving or riding.
The government said: "Find somewhere safe and legal to stop before reading the message. If there’s nowhere safe and legal to stop, and nobody else is in the vehicle to read the alert, you can listen to news on live radio to find out about the emergency."
If you have a vision or hearing impairment, audio and vibration attention signals will let you know you have an emergency alert if accessibility notifications have been enabled on your mobile phone or tablet.
