Wildfires across England and Wales have reached record levels, with firefighters struggling to cope with the growing number of outbreaks amid an intense heatwave.
The National Fire Chiefs Council said the number of wildfires has already surpassed last year’s total of 1,017, and warned that the fire season could continue into November.
Several homes were destroyed and hundreds of people were evacuated on Thursday after fires spread rapidly through dry fields and residential areas. In Stourbridge, central England, residents were forced to flee as flames engulfed homes and vegetation.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged people to remain extremely cautious, describing Britain as a “tinderbox” and warning that the situation was far from over. Authorities said dozens of fires were still smouldering across the country.
The government issued an emergency alert to mobile phones across England and Wales, asking people to avoid activities that could potentially start wildfires.
Britain has experienced five heatwaves this year, with millions of people living in drought-affected areas and millions more facing restrictions on water use.
Temperatures reached 38.1°C (100°F) in London on Thursday, making it the fifth-hottest day ever recorded in the UK, according to the Met Office.
Fire chiefs said 11 major incidents had been declared within 24 hours and warned that demand for emergency support was exceeding the capacity of fire and rescue services in some areas.
Firefighters are working alongside the military in several locations as authorities seek additional resources to tackle the worsening wildfire situation.
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