David Hughes

Millions of people across England and Wales received an emergency mobile alert warning them not to light barbecues, campfires or fireworks because of the elevated wildfire risk, and to call 999 if they saw a fire. The warning followed widespread wildfires, a heatwave and drought conditions, with military personnel deployed to assist firefighters in South Wales. Andy Burnham said Britain was a “tinderbox,” backed the acquisition of nationally available firefighting aircraft and promised a summit on fire-service funding and climate-related emergencies. Health authorities extended amber heat warnings across much of England, while dry conditions placed pressure on water supplies and increased risks to vulnerable people.