England faces extreme wildfire risk as heatwave persists into next week

England remains under a sustained heatwave as of Sunday, 12 July 2026, with meteorologists and emergency services warning that conditions are likely to persist well into the coming week. The Met Office reports that temperatures across England and Wales will consistently exceed 30C, while government agencies have issued urgent alerts regarding an extreme risk of wildfires and significant health concerns.

The Met Office indicates that 2026 has already established several climate markers. It is the first year in which temperatures of 35C or higher have been recorded across three separate months. Furthermore, the country has surpassed its record for the number of days hitting 34C or higher, with nine such days observed so far this summer. The year has also seen temperatures of 35C recorded on six separate days, exceeding the previous record of five days set in 1976 and 2020.

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Wildfire and Health Alerts

Natural England has identified large portions of the South and the Midlands as being at an exceptional risk of wildfires. These alerts cover a range of geography, extending from Yeovil in Somerset to Shrewsbury in Shropshire. This heightened threat follows a series of recent blazes, including an incident reported on Saturday at Dovestone Reservoir in Greenfield, near Saddleworth in Oldham, Lancs.

The London Fire Brigade has officially elevated the wildfire risk in the capital from elevated to extreme through Monday, citing the combination of dry vegetation, high heat, and wind speed. The brigade has specifically urged members of the public to avoid the use of disposable barbecues, which are considered a significant ignition source in current conditions. Prolonged dry spells can cause dead vegetation to become more flammable and increase the severity of wildfires.

In response to the heat, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has implemented a system of amber and yellow heat-health alerts effective from 9am on Sunday, 12 July, until 9pm on Wednesday. Amber alerts are in place for the South West and the West Midlands. These indicate that significant impacts on health and social care services are likely, including a rise in deaths among the elderly and chronically ill. Yellow alerts, where such impacts are deemed possible, cover the East Midlands, the North West, the East of England, and London.

"Based on the current forecast, we don’t currently expect the health impacts to be as high as the heatwave we saw at the end of June."

Dr Agostinho Sousa, UKHSA, via Aol

Water Safety and Supply

While inland temperatures climb, emergency services have reported multiple fatalities in water-related incidents. Regional police forces confirmed that the body of a man was recovered from a weir at the Darley Abbey Mills complex near Derby, following an incident where two teenagers encountered difficulty. An 18-year-old man died at Dovestone Reservoir, Oldham, on Friday, Greater Manchester police said. And the body of a woman was recovered from the Falls of Falloch, a popular beauty spot in Stirling, Scotland, after she got in difficulty in the water on Friday evening, Police Scotland said. The UKHSA has warned of a potential increase in drownings and cold water shock, even during hot Weather.

The cumulative stress on the environment has led to a series of hosepipe bans as water companies struggle to maintain supplies following a record-warm spring. Current restrictions include:

• Southern Water (Hampshire and Isle of Wight): In effect since 10 July for approximately 1 million customers.
• Anglian Water (East of England): In effect since 1am on Saturday for 5 million customers.
• Cambridge Water: Immediate ban in effect for 350,000 customers, with enforcement actions will not start until 1am next Friday.
• South East Water (Kent areas): In effect since 3 July for locations including Ashford, Canterbury, Faversham, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Snodland, Tenterden, and Tunbridge Wells.

What to Watch Next

Forecaster Craig Snell of the Met Office noted that while 33C remains well above the seasonal average, a transition to more unsettled, changeable weather is expected toward the latter part of the coming week. The Met Office suggests that some areas in the south may see heavy, thundery showers developing from Monday and Wednesday. Until that shift occurs, the public is advised to maintain hydration, avoid prolonged sun exposure, and check on vulnerable friends and family members.

A UV level of eight is forecast for most of England and Wales on Sunday, which is very high, and pollen levels are expected to remain high or very high, particularly in the South West and Wales. the Metropolitan Police have requested that the public reserve 999 calls for immediate danger or active crimes, following a surge in emergency call volumes during the heatwave and associated sporting events.