'Exceptional' wildfire risk for parts of UK as heat health alerts issued

'Exceptional' wildfire risk for parts of UK as heat health alerts issued Parts of the UK are facing an "exceptional" hazard for wildfires over the next few days as a record‑breaking heatwave continues. On Sunday, a large portion of southern England and pockets of the south Midlands were assessed to be at "exceptional" risk, according to Natural England, external. Many other areas across England and Wales are at "very high" risk, a condition expected to persist throughout the week. The situation follows parts of the UK entering their second week of temperatures above the heatwave threshold. Consequently, amber and yellow heat health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) from 09:00 BST on 12 July to 21:00 on 15 July. These alerts signal likely significant impacts on health and social care services owing to the high temperatures, including an increase in deaths, particularly among those with pre‑existing health conditions or people aged 65 and older. Heatwave to persist for 2nd week While heatwave conditions will continue across many parts of England and Wales through the coming week, a brisker wind has caused temperatures to drop a degree or two compared with recent days. The biggest temperature falls have occurred along the North Sea coast, where highs on Sunday and Monday are forecast to be around 18‑21 °C (64‑70 °F). Even with the breeze, the western half of England and Wales will remain blistery, with widespread highs of 26‑30 °C and possible peaks of 31‑33 °C in parts of south‑east Wales and south‑west England through Sunday. Amber heat alerts issued by the UKHSA remain in effect until Wednesday evening for south‑west England and the West Midlands, aligning with the areas where the highest temperatures are anticipated. Heatwave conditions are expected to stay more widespread in the north‑west of England, the East Midlands, the east of England, London and the south‑east, where a yellow alert is active for the same period. From Monday, England and Wales are likely to see temperatures reaching around 30‑32 °C, although they are unlikely to match last week’s mid‑30s readings. Parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland could experience a return of heatwave conditions by midweek. Why is the fire risk so high and how long will it last? Three record‑breaking heatwaves and a prolonged lack of rainfall have left many parts of England and Wales facing an expanding wildfire risk. Over the next few days, the continued hot and dry weather, combined with strengthening winds and lower humidity, is set to accelerate vegetation drying, thereby increasing fire danger. Stronger winds would also enable any ignited fires to spread more rapidly and become harder to contain. The risk is projected to ease somewhat toward the middle of next week as winds lighten and the chance of showers rises. However, current forecasts indicate that "exceptional" wildfire risk could persist across East Anglia by Wednesday. A National Fire Chiefs Council spokesperson said: "When the upwind stays blistery and dry, it only takes 1 spark to commencement a wildfire. What tin statesman as a tiny occurrence tin dispersed incredibly quickly, putting people, homes, wildlife and our countryside at risk." When will the heatwave finally break? Low pressure situated in the Bay of Biscay may bring the far south‑west of England its first showers from Sunday, with a greater likelihood on Monday. This same low pressure system will move northward through the week, increasing the prospect of thundery showers that will reach southern England and southern Wales on Tuesday, then extend into the Midlands by Wednesday. Thunderstorms are forecast to become more widespread by Thursday, but even with shower activity, temperatures are expected to remain in the high 20s and low 30s. The heat is not expected to ease until the end of the week. By then, the chance of rainfall will be greater across the UK as the associated low pressure drifts northwards, ushering in a cooler north wind and signalling the end of heatwave conditions.