UK wildfires hit record levels in July as drought and heatwave spark warnings

• July was the busiest month on record for wildfires, with firefighters attending 458 blazes during the month and 185 in the first 10 days of August.
• The National Fire Chiefs Council said its services had responded to 966 wildfires so far this year, approaching the record set in 2025.
• Phil Garrigan, chairman of the council, said: “The combination of drought conditions and another heatwave means the risk of fires remains high, and these incidents can place huge demands on firefighters and specialist resources.”
• He added: “Many wildfires are preventable so we’re asking people to be vigilant and take extra care outdoors while these conditions continue.”
• Bournemouth Water, which supplies Ringwood and the currently ablaze New Forest, has urged local residents to limit their water use.

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UK weather latest: July breaks wildfire record as Met Office issues rare ‘extreme heat’ warning