Millions startled by emergency alert with wildfire warning after UK blazes

Millions were sent into panic tonight as an emergency alert appeared unexpectedly on their phones.

At around 7pm, people across England and Wales received a notification, warning against lighting anything that could spark a wildfire, including barbecues, campfires, and fireworks.

It read: ‘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.’

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has urged the public to ‘take the emergency alert seriously’.

The labor leader wrote on X: ‘This evening, an emergency alert has been sent to people across England and Wales as the wildfire risk remains very high. The request came directly from fire and rescue services.

‘I was in Stourbridge today and saw first-hand the devastating impact these fires have had on people’s homes and lives.

‘Our priority now is to keep everyone safe and prevent more fires from starting.

‘During this period of extreme heat, I’m asking everyone to take extra care. Please do not light any fires in gardens, the countryside or other open spaces, including parks, moorland and wooded areas.

‘Our firefighters and emergency responders are working around the clock in incredibly difficult conditions.

‘We can all help them. Please take the emergency alert seriously and follow the guidance in place.’

Earlier today, the PM issued a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbeques due to the ‘significant risk’ they pose.

Louise Haigh, the First Secretary of State, said Friday’s message was ‘the most extensive use of the UK’s emergency alert system in response to an active incident’.

The system was first used in a test format in April 2023.

Since then, five other emergency alerts have been issued as a means of protecting people across the UK, including during storms.

They are accompanied by a unique siren-like sound, designed to capture attention and be noticeably different from any other notification or text message.

Haigh added that the government ‘took the decision’ to issue the alert ‘in response to the continued risk proposed by wildfires’.

She said it ‘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 alert follows the outbreak of several major blazes, including a wildfire in the West Midlands, where 19 homes were destroyed.

Communities were also left ‘devastated’ in Stoke-on-Trent after fires gutted houses and forced people to flee. Some of them lost ‘everything’.

Angela Rayner, the Communities Secretary, detailed plans for future responses to incidents.

‘As well as supporting firefighters on the ground now, my department will hold a summit bringing together fire chiefs, the National Fire Chiefs’ Council, the Fire Brigades Union and other key organisations to look at our future response.

‘To the residents affected, particularly those who lost their homes and their life’s possessions to fire – we will work with the mayor and local leaders to make sure you are supported.’

The UK is currently experiencing its fifth heatwave, with the hottest day of the year thus far recorded this week.

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

Amber health alerts are still in place due to the weather conditions putting vulnerable groups at additional risk.

Meanwhile, over 70% of England and all of Wales is officially in drought, with Burnham referring to Britain as a ‘tinderbox’ right now, and admitting that we must ‘face up’ to the ‘changing climate’.

The extreme heat has led to overwhelming demand in hospitals and chaos on public transport due to delayed and cancelled services.

Additionally, two trains derailed within 24 hours – one near Lewes railway station in East Sussex yesterday and another near Wickford in Essex this afternoon.

While investigations into the exact causes of the derailments are ongoing, steel tracks have been seen bent out of shape, and it is a known fact that they can become curved in such conditions.

Network Rail executive Martin Frobisher said the ‘unprecedented hot and dry weather that we have experienced this summer’ had presented exceptional challenges to the railway’.

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