Heatwave Peaks at 35C as Wildfire Warnings Spread
Britain’s fourth heatwave of the summer peaks on Wednesday at around 35C, with amber heat-health alerts in force across much of England. Fire chiefs warned that the wildfire risk was now “severe” after more than 200 wildfire incidents in the past fortnight, urging the public to take care. Drought has been declared in the driest regions and more than 23 million people are under hosepipe bans.
The UK Health Security Agency warned of a likely rise in deaths among the elderly and vulnerable during the hottest day of the spell, and rail operators cautioned that speed restrictions might be needed as the heat threatened to buckle tracks. Wildfires have already scorched swathes of the Cairngorms and elsewhere, and the tinder-dry conditions leave much of the country at risk. Health officials advised staying hydrated, keeping homes cool and checking on neighbours. For a nation ill-suited to sustained heat, the strain is again mounting. Watch the peak temperatures and whether the alerts are raised to red.