Wildfires continue to burn across parts of the UK as firefighters face what the chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council calls ‘extreme pressure’ due to the prolonged heatwave. Phil Garrigan told BBC Breakfast that the dry weather increases the risk of uncontrollable fires. ‘There’s no real respite. There doesn’t seem to be any rain forecast and that becomes problematic,’ he said.
Around 19 fires remain active across the country, Garrigan added. Major incidents were declared in Conwy, north Wales, and in Glossop, Derbyshire, on Sunday, with firefighters still tackling the flames on Tuesday. Wildfires over the weekend also affected Hampshire, Durham, West Sussex, East Sussex, Devon and Somerset.
In Wales, the major incident declared over the Conwy wildfire has now been brought under control, according to North Wales Fire and Rescue Service assistant chief fire officer Justin Evans. But firefighters are still tackling several active blazes, including in Braichmelyn forestry near Bethesda and the Rhinogydd mountain range near Harlech.
Farmer Gareth Wyn Jones, whose land borders the Conwy Mountain, said he had ‘never seen anything of that scale.’ ‘It was unreal,’ he said, adding that while ponies grazing on the mountain had escaped, he feared for a neighbour’s pigs as flames swept through surrounding land. ‘The biggest worry was that they were going to suffocate in the smoke, but the smoke did carry over them,’ he said, confirming the animals had survived.
Elsewhere, firefighters remain at the scene of a major moorland fire at Tintwistle Moor near Dovestone Reservoir in the Peak District. Around 30 to 40 firefighters are continuing to tackle the blaze, which began on 24 June and has burned around 260 hectares (642 acres) of moorland and woodland. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service senior fire chief Ben Levy warned crews faced ‘a very challenging and gruelling day ahead’ as high temperatures, strong winds and dry conditions continued to fuel the fire. He urged people to take extra care in the countryside to reduce the risk of further wildfires.
Shania Care-Slede, 20, from Hyde, was arrested earlier this week on suspicion of arson related to the Dovestone fire. She was charged with aggravated arson, reckless endangerment of life and dangerous driving, Greater Manchester Police said on Tuesday.
In Dorset, firefighters spent the night at the scene of a wildfire on heathland. Smoke was reported at Agglestone, near Studland, at about 17:00 BST on Monday, with crews from seven stations tackling the blaze until 20:00. Relief teams are expected to remain throughout Tuesday.
Natural England is warning of a ‘very high’ or ‘exceptional’ risk of fires across much of England – as well as Wales – over the next few days. Dry weather does not, on its own, cause wildfires – there needs to be a source of ignition too, such as a spark from a barbecue or a discarded cigarette. However, dry conditions remove moisture from vegetation, making it more able to burn and act as fuel for blazes to take hold and spread.
The conditions the UK is experiencing so far this summer mirror the warnings given by climate scientists that human-induced climate change would lead to more frequent and intense heatwaves, as well as potential summer droughts.
Data from Natural England shows that areas in the South West, London, eastern England and Wales face the most risk, with wildfires reported throughout the country. Only the Isle of Wight faces ‘exceptional’ risk – the highest level. It is also one of the areas currently affected by a hosepipe ban.
Lisa Goodier, the mayor of Penmaenmawr Town Council, said around 60 people were forced to evacuate their homes early on Sunday. She told The Independent that the fire had become larger throughout the day and created thick smoke that filled people’s homes.
Dave Swallow, NFCC wildfire deputy lead and lead tactical adviser, warned that such conditions ‘significantly increase wildfire risk.’ ‘But most wildfires start because something provides the spark,’ he added. ‘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.’
Around 125 firefighters were called to a blaze in Walthamstow, east London on Sunday, which caused parts of the Overground line to close. On Friday evening, London Fire Brigade dealt with a blaze involving shrubbery at Stratford Station nearby, which also caused rail line closures.
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 also tackled a blaze at Devil’s Dyke in South Downs National Park in West Sussex.
Heatwaves have hit mainland Europe especially hard in recent months, with hundreds of firefighters battling for days to contain one of Spain‘s deadliest wildfires. At least 12 people were killed in the Almeria province in the south of the country as a result of the blaze. Four of the dead are believed to be British, according to regional authorities.
The Met Office has warned of possible thunderstorms from Monday in parts of southern England, but overall another very dry week is expected. Record-breaking temperatures have led to 2026 becoming the first year to record 35C on six separate days. This broke the previous records set in 1976 and 2020 when five days were recorded with temperatures over 35C. This year has also become the first to see temperatures of 35C or higher in three calendar months – and broke the record for most temperatures of 34C or higher, with nine so far this summer.
The hot, dry weather has also led water firms to announce hosepipe bans for much of the South and eastern England.
