UK wildfire hotspots mapped as Andy Burnham holds COBRA meeting over extreme heat - check the risk near you

UK wildfire hotspots mapped as Andy Burnham holds COBRA meeting over extreme heat - check the risk near you Check the interactive map to see Britain's worst-hit wildfire hotspots as strained fire crews warn of an 'unprecedented' pressure on services ahead of the 38C heatwave An alarming new map reveals Britain's worst-hit wildfire hotspots as Andy Burnham chairs an emergency Cobra committee meeting today. The Prime Minister will hold talks with ministers, officials and agencies over the next few hours amid the ongoing summer crisis - with temperatures set to top 38C tomorrow. Mr Burnham has said he will consider imposing a ban on disposable barbecues amid the risk of further wildfires as extreme heat continues to grip parts of the UK. It follows a warning from fire chiefs of the unprecedented pressure placed on services by a fifth summer heatwave and “exceptionally high” levels of wildfire activity. Nearly three quarters of England and the whole of Wales are in drought, after a record dry July and very dry start to August have combined with high temperatures to put pressure on water resources for households, agriculture and the environment. And temperatures are set to climb as high as 38C in some parts of England on Thursday, in the fifth heatwave of a summer on track to be the UK's hottest on record, while much of the country is at "exceptional" risk of severe wildfires if they ignite. National Resilience data shows that firefighters responded to 966 wildfires between January 1 and August 10 in England and Wales - over 100 more than last year - with 185 in the first 10 days of August alone. Interactive map You can see the threat level where you live or in areas you plan to visit on holiday using our interactive map below: Record-breaking number of wildfires The 966 wildfires so far in 2026 is higher than the figure recorded during the same period in both 2022 (748) and 2025 (848), previously two of the busiest years for wildfire activity on record. Firefighters have responded to 185 wildfires in the first 10 days of August alone. Drought conditions continue to worsen across the country, with more than two-thirds of England and all of Wales now officially in drought. Most at risk area The Moorland Association has used open-source data and expert analysis to assess the threat in each parliamentary constituency, using 10 indicators across three risk domains. It shows that the High Peak constituency in Derbyshire, within the Peak District national park, is the area at greatest risk. High Peak includes Tintwistle Moor, near Glossop, where a major wildfire raged for over a month and destroyed approximately 2.3 square miles of moorland and woodland, equivalent to around 900 football pitches. It caused catastrophic damage to wildlife habitats, with deep peat hotspots smouldering underground for weeks. Calder Valley, which covers part of West Yorkshire, including Hebden Bridge, where TV drama Happy Valley was filmed, is the second-most at-risk area. Tiverton and Minehead, which straddles the Devon-Somerset border, is the third-most-at-risk area. 'Please take care outdoors' Phil Garrigan, Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), said: “We’ve dealt with almost 1,000 wildfires already this year. “The combination of drought conditions and another heatwave means the risk of fires remains high, and these incidents can place huge demands on firefighters and specialist resources. “I’d like to thank firefighters and fire and rescue staff across the country, who have been responding to a high volume of challenging incidents in extremely difficult conditions throughout the summer. “Many wildfires are preventable, so we’re asking people to be vigilant and take extra care outdoors while these conditions continue.” Fire Chiefs are urging the public to take extra care during the current hot weather, as many wildfires are caused by human activity and are preventable. Simple actions such as disposing of cigarettes safely, avoiding the use of disposable barbecues in the countryside and taking litter home can significantly reduce the risk of fires starting. Tips to prevent wildfires include: - Avoid using disposable barbecues in open countryside, parks and moorland areas. - Do not discard cigarettes, matches or glass bottles, as they can ignite dry vegetation and crops. - Follow local authority guidance on fire risks and restrictions. - Report any signs of fire immediately by calling 999 and asking for the Fire and Rescue Service. - If you notice suspicious behaviour or see someone intentionally starting a fire, contact the Police on 101 or report information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. - If there is a fire, call 999 immediately.