Millions receive stark emergency alert over ‘very high’ wildfire risk

Millions of people across England and Wales have received an emergency alert to their phones at 7pm today warning against lighting anything that could spark a wildfire, including barbecues, campfires, and fireworks, the Cabinet Office said.

The mobile message alert received across the country read: “Severe Alert - Issued by the UK Government

“There is a very high risk of wildfires nationally. Residents, landowners and visitors should not undertake any activity that could start a fire, including disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators or fireworks. Even a small flame can rapidly develop into a major wildfire placing lives, homes, businesses and emergency responders at risk.

“Follow official updates and report signs of fire immediately by calling 999. Search gov.uk/alerts for more information.”

Cabinet Office minister Louise Haigh, the First Secretary of State, said: “In response to the continued risk proposed by wildfires, the Government has taken the decision to issue an emergency alert to England and Wales.

“This is the most extensive use of the UK’s emergency alert system in response to an active incident, and reflects the seriousness with which the Government is acting to safeguard people and property.

“During this period of extreme heat, we are asking people to take simple steps to limit the risk of further fires.

“By following the safety guidance, everyone can play their part in protecting local communities and supporting our frontline services who are working around the clock to keep people safe.”

“The Government will continue to provide every assistance to communities being impacted by these fires, including the deployment of 100 additional military personnel in major incident areas.”

The mobile alert comes as Andy Burnham has called in the military, announced a ban on disposable barbecues and warned smokers not to risk setting light to “tinderbox” Britain as he scrambled to respond to the summer heatwave and wildfires.

The Prime Minister also revealed he planned to commission firefighting planes, as used to douse flames in Europe and the US, to combat the spread of wildfires.

He said the country has to “face up” to the “changing climate” and needs to transition to “more clean energy”.

Mr Burnham said plans were being drawn up for emergency financial support for fire services battling the spread of wildfires.

His comments came on a visit to Stourbridge to see the impact of a devastating blaze.

Amid the wildfires raging across the country, the Government appointed Baroness Blake of Leeds as fire minister, serving in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Mr Burnham told broadcasters: “I’ve never seen scenes like this in Britain, where you just see a whole house gutted, smouldering.”

The Prime Minister said 100 military personnel had been deployed to a blaze in South Wales to offer “critically needed” support.

He said “Britain is a tinderbox right now” with “37 fires smouldering around the country”.

Mr Burnham acknowledged that aerial firefighting capabilities would help and they would be commissioned nationally for use around the country.

He promised a summit with fire services as he acknowledged they had not been given the funding needed to cope with the impact of climate change – including the possibility of floods later in the year.

“I can’t say today that we’ve done enough to fully resource them to deal with these type of incidents, and I want our firefighters to know that I understand how it seems from their point of view, and I’m going to convene that summit to make sure we get in place the right support, including the aerial support, permanently if that is what they deem is needed,” he said.

“Obviously, there’s other adjustments that we need to make in relation to climate change.”

He said experts had warned the UK could face a wet autumn and winter because of the El Nino effect “so, after fire could come floods”.

A heat health alert was extended until Saturday for much of England amid warnings that high temperatures may increase health risks for vulnerable groups.

Temperatures provisionally reached 38.1C at Kew Gardens in London on Thursday, the second time this year the country has seen temperatures hit 38C.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended the current amber heat health alert for the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, London and East of England until 10am on Saturday.

All other regions in England remain under an amber alert until 9pm on Friday.