The areas at ‘exceptional’ risk of wildfires as health alerts issued

Large parts of the UK risk being faced with “exceptional” wildfires this week as the heatwave continues, experts have warned. Heat-related health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are in place across most of England from Sunday until Wednesday evening, with the Met Office predicting a continuation of the country’s record-breaking recent scorching heat and dry weather into the week ahead. The forecaster’s Fire Severity Index (FSI) has placed areas of southern England and the Midlands in its highest category of “exceptional” severity when it comes to potential wildfires – with blazes already reported in some parts of the country. Using information such as wind speed, temperature, time of year and rainfall, the FSI assesses how severe a fire could become if one were to start. Its latest assessment, displayed online by Natural England, suggests a large swathe of the country – extending to parts of the east and southeast – could be severely impacted in the days ahead if a blaze were to begin. Most of the rest of England and Wales is deemed to be in the “very high” severity category, with three record-breaking heatwaves and a prolonged lack of rainfall increasing the risk of wildfires. The Met Office said parts of southern England may see thunderstorms on Monday but warned of another very dry week to come more broadly. Temperature will possibly exceed 30°C again next week, with 2026 having already become the first year to record 35°C on six separate days. Shrubbery caught alight along rail lines near Stratford Station in east London on Friday (Photo: James Weech/PA) This year has also become the first to see temperatures of 35°C or higher in three calendar months and broke the record for most temperatures of 34°C or higher, with nine so far this summer. Together, the hot and dry conditions create an “elevated risk” of wildfires spreading if “ignition” is provided, said Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge. Asked whether further heatwaves were likely in the months ahead, Madge told The i Paper: “You can’t rule it out. “These metrological events are independent of one another, but it’s certainly possible; July and August are the traditional months for heatwaves and high summer temperatures.” The hot, dry weather so far this summer has already led water firms to announce hosepipe bans for the east of England, Cambridge, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and areas of Kent. And with days-long UKHSA amber and yellow heat health alerts in place in every region of England, except the northeast and Yorkshire and The Humber, the public have been advised of significant impacts on health and social care services. Active UKHSA heat health alerts in England as of 12 July (Photo: UKHSA) Parts of the UK already ablaze The wildfire warnings come as some locals in rural north Wales have been advised to evacuate their homes due to smoke on Sunday, as firefighters tackled a blaze near Sychnant Pass on Conwy Mountain, with emergency services declaring a major incident in the area. NEW: A wildfire has broken out in North Wales following the latest heatwaveA major incident has been declared pic.twitter.com/X00MSDfMob— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) July 12, 2026 Derbyshire Fire and Rescue has been called out to two moorland wildfires in recent days, while London Fire Brigade dealt with a blaze involving shrubbery at Stratford Station on Friday evening, which resulted in rail line closures. On Sunday afternoon, London Fire Brigade said it sent seven engines and a terrain support vehicle to a blaze in a field near Sevenoaks Road in Orpington, south-east London. A separate fire in Walthamstow led to over 100 emergency calls on Sunday, the London Fire Brigade said. Some 20 fire engines and around 125 firefighters responded to the incident, which began as an electrical fire on train lines and led to multiple roads closures with locals advised to shut their windows due to the smoke. The blaze affected at least one house as well as multiple gardens and sheds, the fire service said in an update on Sunday evening. The Weaver Line through Wood Street is disrupted after an electrical fire on the tracks#WoodStreet #Walthamstow #E17 #WalthamForest #London #EastLondon pic.twitter.com/4IpMuQifie— London Baithead (@londonbaithead) July 12, 2026 A fire was also reported on the coast in Weymouth on Sunday afternoon, with footage shared on social media showing large plumes of smoke billowing. That incident reportedly originated at an electricity substation at Greenhill, leading to over 100 properties losing power. Something well alight at #Weymouth #Dorset. At the back of the beach near the sea life centre. Spotted the smoke as we can around the southern end of Portland Harbour. pic.twitter.com/uXJZfEuaBv— InsertNameHere (@andykeatingis) July 12, 2026 And further north, a moorlands fire near Dovestones Reservoir in Greater Manchester led to hazy conditions and the smell of smoke being reported as far away as Manchester city centre, according to an update from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service issued on Sunday. East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called out to a “large fire in the open” on the South Downs near Eastbourne on Saturday, while teams tackled a separate blaze at Devil’s Dyke in South Downs National Park in West Sussex. Earlier this month, a fire covering roughly 200 hectares burned across Tintwistle Moor in the Peak District. In Spain, meanwhile, hundreds of firefighters have been battling a deadly wildfire which has killed at least 12 people in Almeria province in the south of the country. Four of the dead there are believed to be British, according to regional authorities, while two British hikers have been found alive but badly burned following the wildfires. ‘We all have a role to play in preventing wildfires’ Dave Swallow, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) wildfire deputy lead and lead tactical adviser, warned that the continuing hot and dry conditions “significantly increase wildfire risk”, but added that “most wildfires start because something provides the spark”. “Whether it is a disposable barbecue left behind, a discarded cigarette or even a glass bottle left in the sunshine, we all have a role to play in preventing them,” he continued. “Summer should be a time for people to enjoy the outdoors but it’s important not to underestimate the risks. Every year we see devastating wildfires and tragic drownings in inland water. “As more schools break up for the summer holiday, we’re asking people to enjoy the warmer weather safely, look out for one another and take simple steps to help prevent avoidable tragedies.”