TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The United Kingdom (UK) is bracing for its fourth heatwave of 2026, with temperatures expected to climb to 35 degrees Celsius in parts of south-east England while authorities warn that the risk of wildfires remains unusually high.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber heat-health alert covering London, the South East, the East of England, and the East Midlands from Tuesday through Thursday, warning that prolonged high temperatures could pose increased health risks, particularly for older people and other vulnerable groups.
Temperatures are forecast to peak on Wednesday, when some areas of south-east England could reach 35C, making it one of the hottest days of the year.
As reported by The Independent, fire chiefs said the UK recorded more than 200 wildfires over the past two weeks alone and warned that continued dry conditions and rising temperatures are creating an environment where fires can ignite and spread rapidly.
The Met Office has also warned that any fires breaking out across London, the South East and eastern England on Wednesday could become exceptionally severe because of the combination of hot weather, dry vegetation and low rainfall.
According to the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), fire and rescue services in England and Wales have responded to 706 wildfires so far in 2026, including 208 incidents recorded between July 16 and July 28. The figures do not include separate wildfire incidents elsewhere in the United Kingdom, such as the major blaze that recently affected Scotland's Cairngorms.
Although wildfire numbers remain below the 788 incidents recorded during the same period last year, the NFCC said the threat remains elevated due to persistent dry weather and harvesting activity across rural areas.
Firefighters continue to battle several active blazes, including a major wildfire at Tintwistle Moor in Derbyshire, where dozens of personnel have been deployed to contain the fire.
According to AOL, the NFCC said eight wildfire incidents were still being monitored through national reporting systems, while photographs from London showed extensive areas of scorched grass in parks and open spaces following recent hot weather.
The council also warned that climate change is increasing the likelihood of larger, more complex and more resource-intensive wildfire incidents in the UK, even though fires there are generally smaller than those currently affecting southern Europe.
Large wildfires have swept across parts of Spain, France and Greece this summer, forcing evacuations, damaging ecosystems and placing additional pressure on emergency services.
NFCC Chair Phil Garrigan said more than 200 wildfires in less than two weeks demonstrated how quickly conditions can deteriorate during prolonged periods of hot, dry weather.
He said prevention remains the country's strongest defense because most wildfires are caused by human activity. Authorities urged the public to dispose of cigarettes properly, avoid using disposable barbecues in open spaces and take litter home to reduce the risk of accidental fires.
The UK government said it is investing nearly £100 million to strengthen wildfire response capabilities, including replacing firefighting assets, introducing specialist off-road vehicles and launching a pilot program that positions specially trained wildfire firefighters in high-risk areas.
Officials are also encouraging the public to report any signs of wildfire immediately by calling emergency services.
Meanwhile, provisional Met Office data indicates that average temperatures across the UK this July are about 3C above the seasonal norm, putting the month on track to rank among the country's hottest Julys on record.
Read: Will a 4th UK Heatwave Hit This Summer? What We Know So Far
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