Wildfires across England and Wales have reached their highest level on record, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council, as firefighters struggle to contain outbreaks following a spell of extreme heat.
The warning came after fires swept through dry fields and reached homes in several parts of England on Thursday, 13 August, forcing hundreds of people to leave their properties.
Phil Garrigan, chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, said the number of wildfires had already surpassed last year’s total of 1,017, warning the situation could worsen.
“We're anticipating this being not just a record-breaking year, but a considerable increase on the number of wildfires previously experienced.”
Fire services declared 11 major incidents in a 24-hour period, while demand for emergency support began to exceed available resources.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged people to remain vigilant during a visit to Stourbridge, one of the areas hit by fires.
“Britain is a tinderbox right now,” he said. “This is not over by any means. We've got 37 fires smouldering around the country.”
Firefighters have been working alongside the military in some areas. Burnham said he would hold talks with emergency services to assess whether they have enough resources.
Residents described frightening scenes as flames moved rapidly through vegetation and towards homes.
Paul Nash, whose garden was damaged in Stourbridge, said his family fled after seeing trees along a nearby railway line catch fire.
“I heard a scream, and all the trees along the railway track were exploding,” he told Reuters. “So we just grabbed everything and left.”
A major motorway was temporarily closed and train services were disrupted as fires spread. Authorities were also investigating whether extreme heat was linked to a train derailment in southern England.
The fires come as Britain experiences its fifth heatwave of the year and heads towards what could become its hottest summer on record.
Temperatures reached 38.1°C in London on Thursday, making it the UK's fifth-hottest day on record, according to the Met Office.
Government figures show around 45 million people are living in drought-hit areas, while 27 million face restrictions on water use.
Fire chiefs say the wildfire season is lasting longer, with the current conditions raising concerns that the pressure on emergency services could continue well into autumn.
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