Britons are being cautioned against holding barbecues or bonfires due to multiple severe wildfires that have occurred recently.
The United Kingdom has already witnessed as many days with temperatures reaching 30C in 2026 as it did during the notorious heatwave of 1976, according to the Met Office. The country is currently in its third heatwave of the summer, with many people enjoying the sunny weather and outdoor grilling. However, the prolonged dry spell has resulted in extremely dry vegetation across much of the nation, leading to a surge in wildfires.
On Monday, temperatures soared to 30.1C in Hurn, Dorset, marking the ninth consecutive day with temperatures exceeding 30C somewhere in the country. In June, the heatwave saw temperatures rise above 30C for seven consecutive days.
Firefighting teams are facing challenges as they combat wildfires, with seven regions in England under yellow heat-health alerts until Friday. The North West, South West, South East, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, and London have all been issued warnings by the UK Health Security Agency.
In North Wales, authorities advised against entering the area near Capelulo village as firefighters worked to contain a wildfire at Conwy Mountain, leading to the evacuation of several homes.
Matt Rowe, group manager for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, highlighted that careless handling of cigarettes or barbecues has been the primary cause of recent wildfires in the region. Over 60 firefighters were mobilized to tackle a wildfire near Blackwater in Hampshire.
With an extreme weather warning in effect for wildfires due to strong winds, authorities are urging the public to refrain from having bonfires at home. If barbecuing, individuals are advised to have water on hand and opt for picnics instead of barbecues when heading outdoors.
The National Fire Chiefs Council chairman, Phil Garrigan, emphasized the heightened risk of wildfires during the hot weather and urged caution when outdoors. He stressed the importance of avoiding disposable barbecues in open spaces, properly disposing of cigarettes, and taking litter home to prevent wildfires.
The Met Office forecasts the heatwave to persist across much of the UK this week, with temperatures potentially reaching 33C in some parts of southern-central England on Wednesday. Temperatures are anticipated to cool off by the weekend, settling in the mid to high-20s for many areas.