- England and Wales have recorded 1,017 wildfires so far in 2026, matching last year's record-breaking total amid consecutive heatwaves.
- Temperatures are set to reach 37C on Thursday, putting all of England under an amber extreme heat warning.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham is due to chair an emergency Cobra meeting to coordinate the response to the prolonged heatwave.
- Southern Water, meanwhile, is pushing for a rare drought order.
- Fire service leaders have warned that the country faces a national emergency as prolonged dry weather strains emergency services.
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