- Temperatures in south-east England are set to hit 30 degrees on Wednesday as the region prepares for another spell of hot weather.
- An amber heat health alert has been issued for the whole of England, with temperatures up to a possible 37C (98.6F) on Thursday.
- A red fire alert has also been issued for areas in East and West Sussex and Surrey.
- Firefighters have responded to 966 wildfires across England and Wales this year, including 185 in the first 10 days of August alone, while July was the busiest month on record for wildfires with 458 incidents, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said.
The UK government has called an emergency meeting as a persistent heatwave grips the nation, particularly affecting South East England where temperatures are expected to reach 30 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. An amber heat health alert has been issued for all of England, with forecasts suggesting temperatures could soar to 37C (98.6F) on Thursday.12
The situation is exacerbated by ongoing drought conditions, with the entire South East now officially classified as being in drought as of Monday. Hastings Borough Council has temporarily switched off fountains to conserve water, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
In addition to the heat, a red fire alert has been declared for parts of East and West Sussex and Surrey, as firefighters have battled 966 wildfires across England and Wales this year. Notably, July was the busiest month on record for wildfires, with 458 incidents reported. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) noted that 185 wildfires occurred in just the first ten days of August, underscoring the urgent need for action as the heatwave continues to pose significant risks to public health and safety.34
As the government responds to this escalating crisis, residents are urged to stay hydrated and take precautions against the extreme heat.
“An amber heat health alert is in effect for the whole of England, with temperatures possibly reaching 37C (98.6F) on Thursday. A red fire alert has been issued for East and West Sussex and Surrey, and firefighters have responded to 966 wildfires across England and Wales this year, including 185 in the first 10 days of August.”
BBC
