UK issued urgent wildfire warning as fourth heatwave to bring scorching temperatures

UK issued urgent wildfire warning as fourth heatwave to bring scorching temperatures First responders fear parts of the UK have become a tinderbox this summer, with arid conditions set to continue as the mercury rises, creating a perfect storm for fires First responders are bracing themselves for another week of wildfires as a fourth summer heatwave looms, days after some of the UK's most arid areas missed out on some much-needed rain. Northern and western regions of the United Kingdom saw some rainfall over the weekend, with further showers and unsettled conditions expected over the next few days in some places. But in the south, where the least amount of rain has fallen as once green grass turns dry and brittle, temperatures are set to climb once more. More dry and sunny weather is on its way in the south, with the mercury thought to peak at around 35C in parts of south-east England. The fourth heatwave also comes off the back of wildifires across the country, and even a drought declaration in Wales. Parts of southern, central and eastern England remain in a state of "prolonged dry weather", the final status mark before a drought is officially declared. A far-reaching yellow heat health alert has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which carries a warning of possible “significant impacts” on health and social care services, including a rise in deaths among the elderly, the vulnerable, and people with health conditions. In addition, fires, if they start, are likely to become exceptionally severe on Wednesday in pockets of the east, south, and south-east England, according to Met Office data used by Natural England and Natural Resources Wales. The “exceptionally severe” warnings focus on eastern England on Thursday. The Fire Severity Index looks at data including rainfall, temperature and humidity and agencies use it to assess the severity of fire if it starts. It does not cover the chances of wildfires occurring. Emergency crews have already spent days fighting large wildfires in Wales and Scotland that forced people to evacuate from their homes. A National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) spokesperson said: “With the Met Office warning that a fourth heatwave could develop this week, bringing another period of very hot weather to parts of the UK, fire and rescue services remain on alert and are continuing to prepare for renewed wildfire risk.” Battling nearly 20 wildfires at once demonstrates “the scale of the challenge posed by the prolonged hot, dry conditions”, they added. “Most wildfires are preventable and we are asking everyone to play their part in helping to protect our communities, wildlife and natural spaces, while easing the pressure on firefighters who have already faced an exceptionally challenging summer.” Temperatures cooled, winds picked up and a smattering of rain fell for many during the weekend. But parts of southern England will yet again meet their heatwave criteria on Wednesday, which could reach highs of 32C or 33C, and more will on Thursday. At the height of the third heatwave, in mid-July, firefighters were battling 19 significant wildfires simultaneously in England and Wales. The latest update on the impending heatwave comes as a Met Office meteorologist said UK heatwave thresholds will need to be adjusted to take into account the warming climate, which has seen temperature records repeatedly broken this year. Forecasters are expecting this week’s hot spell to be a “north-south split”, with clouds and outbreaks of rain continuing in Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England. As per senior Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud, July was 3C above average across the UK, according to provisional Met Office data on the month so far. This could put it among the hottest three or four months of July on record, said Stroud. Fellow senior Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna added that heatwave thresholds for some counties were nudged up by a degree four or five years ago. “Going forward they’ll need to be adjusted to take into account… current climate, otherwise we’re going to more frequently go into heatwaves. It’s a moveable thing, really, as we go through a warming world”, he said. Southern England has had just one per cent of its average July rainfall. England has had five per cent and the UK as a whole 20 per cent, according to Met Office data. Where will the Yellow Heat-health strike? All following alerts span from 6pm BST on Tuesday (July 28) and run until 6pm BST on Friday (July 31). - Yorkshire and The Humber - East Midlands - West Midlands - East of England - London - South East - South West