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.
Elon Musk was not on the ballot in Tuesday’s U.S. midterm elections, but he emerged as one of the biggest losers after Democrats swept to vic...
Uzbekistan has launched 145 investment projects worth $7.8 billion in its Bukhara region, aiming to create more than 14,000 jobs, boost industrial ...
Kazakhstan plans to manufacture 494 types of medicines through eight major investment projects worth a combined $862 million, Health Minister Akmar...
Democrat wins surged on Tuesday across the United States with stunning victories in the South Carolina, Texas and Ohio senate races -- traditionally Republican strongholds -- in the 3 November midterm elections.
From international reporting and investigative documentaries to global forums and digital innovation, AnewZ marks two years of connecting Azerbaijan and the wider world.
Democrats captured majorities in both chambers of Congress on Tuesday, scoring sweeping victories that reached into Republican strongholds, with millions of voters delivering a strong rebuke to President Donald Trump.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington will end its annual financial and military aid to Israel by the end of 2026, under an agreement he claims to have reached with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf says the U.S. must act to prevent war after Tehran sent a “strong and rational response” to Washington. Meanwhile, U.S. forces have reportedly carried out limited strikes against Iranian targets, including Qeshm Island,
Elon Musk was not on the ballot in Tuesday’s U.S. midterm elections, but he emerged as one of the biggest losers after Democrats swept to victory, threatening his political influence and exposing his business empire to greater scrutiny.
Montenegro has moved a step closer to becoming the European Union's next member, with Brussels signalling that the Balkan country could join by 2028, ending more than a decade without EU enlargement.
Thousands of protesters, including students and artists, marched through Prague and other Czech cities on Tuesday as public television and radio workers staged a one-day strike over government plans to cut funding and bring the broadcasters under state budget control.
As oil prices surge amid conflict in the Gulf, energy leaders at ADIPEC in Abu Dhabi are confronting two major challenges: securing global supplies and meeting soaring electricity demand from artificial intelligence.
North Korea fired multiple missiles into the sea off its east coast on Wednesday, South Korea's Defence Ministry said, in Pyongyang's fourth weapons launch in a month.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment