‘Exceptional’ wildfire risk for parts of UK as heatwave health alerts issued

Three record-breaking heatwaves and a prolonged lack of rainfall have left many parts of England and Wales at increased risk of bushfires.

Continuing hot, dry weather over the next few days, along with stronger winds and low humidity, is expected to accelerate the drying of vegetation, increasing the risk of fire.

Stronger winds will also allow fires to spread faster and become harder to control.

The risk is expected to ease slightly towards the middle of next week as winds ease and the chance of showers increases. But current forecasts suggest there could remain an “extraordinary” bushfire danger in East Anglia until Wednesday.

A spokesman for the National Fire Chiefs Council said: “When the weather remains hot and dry, a single spark is all it takes to start a fire. A small fire can spread incredibly quickly, putting people, homes, wildlife and our countryside at risk.”