An increased risk of wildfires persists in the UK, with over 200 incidents reported in the past 12 days. The ongoing heatwave has raised concerns, especially for London, the South East, and East of England, where severe blazes could occur due to the hot and dry conditions. The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber heat-health alert covering several regions.

Authorities have highlighted the potential health risks posed by the high temperatures, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly. While 706 wildfires have been reported in England and Wales this year, 208 of them occurred between July 16 and 28, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council.

Notably, the reported figures do not include wildfires in Scotland and Northern Ireland, like the ongoing Cairngorms blaze. Fire chiefs stress that the wildfire risk remains high nationwide, with monitoring of eight active incidents. Despite a lower number of incidents compared to last year, the dry conditions, warm temperatures, and agricultural activities increase the likelihood of rapid fire spread.

Ground images reveal the impact of the heatwave, with brown grass visible in London’s Blackheath and parched parks across the capital. Meanwhile, wildfires have also affected European countries such as Spain, France, Greece, and Italy, leading to evacuations and challenges for emergency services.

The NFCC emphasizes the changing nature of wildfires in the UK due to climate change, urging investment in specialized firefighting capabilities. Prevention measures, including safe disposal of cigarettes and avoiding open-space barbecues, are crucial to reducing fire risks. Provisional Met Office data indicates that July 2026 could rank among the hottest Julys on record, with temperatures consistently above average this month.