Map reveals areas most at risk to wildfires as heatwave sparks huge infernos across the UK

By MARK DUELL, DEPUTY CHIEF REPORTER (DIGITAL) Published: 14:56, 13 July 2026 | Updated: 14:58, 13 July 2026 Parts of Britain face an 'exceptional' risk of wildfires this week as a map revealed the areas in danger from gusty winds and ongoing dry weather in the heatwave. The Met Office's Fire Severity Index (FSI) said parts of southern England were most at risk from blazes including around Chichester and Bognor Regis in West Sussex. Other highlighted areas included Andover and Basingstoke in Hampshire; Dorchester and Wimborne Minster in Dorset; Yeovil in Somerset; and Honiton in Devon. The rest of southern England and the Midlands and most of Wales are at 'very high' risk, but the warning level drops to 'high', 'moderate' or 'low' in the North. The Met Office said warm and dry weather coupled with gusty easterly winds mean extreme wildfire conditions will persist for parts of England and Wales this week. Five water firms have imposed usage restrictions amid huge strain on supplies and an increasing risk of drought while the third heatwave of the year continues. Temperatures could reach 35C by Thursday, following the hottest ever days in May and June and a lack of rain in recent months. London has had no rain since June 27. In Walthamstow yesterday, residents were evacuated as homes went up in flames and trains were suspended after a huge fire broke out next to a railway line. Your browser does not support iframes. A fire in Walthamstow, east London, yesterday began on an embankment next to the rail line Some 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines battled the blaze in east London as flames spread through the gardens and outbuildings of 30 properties. London Fire Brigade (LFB) received 120 emergency calls after the inferno began on the railway embankment and several structures close to the line at 6.30pm. Fire crews managed to cool ten hazardous gas cylinders found on the properties to stop them exploding, and the blaze was brought under control at 10.30pm. The Overground's Weaver line was partially suspended last night and Transport for London confirmed there would be no trains for the whole of today between Hackney Downs and Chingford while engineers carry out urgent repairs to the track. Derbyshire Fire and Rescue has been called out to two moorland wildfires in recent days, declaring a major incident due to the impact of one fire at Tintwistle Moor last night. The LFB dealt with a major blaze involving shrubbery at Stratford station last Friday evening, which also caused rail line closures. The brigade also said it sent seven engines and a terrain support vehicle to a blaze in a field near Sevenoaks Road in Orpington yesterday afternoon. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident due to the spread of a wildfire near Sychnant Pass on Conwy Mountain. People in parts of the village of Capelulo were advised to evacuate due to smoke. East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called to a 'large fire in the open' on the South Downs near Eastbourne on Saturday, while teams also tackled a blaze at Devil's Dyke in South Downs National Park in West Sussex. A wildfire near Sychnant Pass on Conwy Mountain in Wales yesterday results in evacuations Crews tackle a fire at Devil's Dyke in South Downs National Park, West Sussex, on Saturday A major blaze involving shrubbery near Stratford station in east London on Friday evening Dave Swallow, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) wildfire deputy lead and lead tactical adviser, warned that the dry, sunny and hot conditions 'significantly increase wildfire risk'. The FSI ratings come from the five-stage scale which evaluates how severe a wildfire could become in each area if one were to ignite under current weather conditions. The FSI supports Natural England and Natural Resources Wales and means relevant authorities must suspend open access rights on vulnerable land if necessary. While the FSI does not predict when or where fires will start, it determines how rainfall, drought, wind speed, temperature and humidity can affect fire behaviour. The scheme uses a similar approach to the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System, which has also been implemented in the US and New Zealand. An NFCC spokesperson said: 'When the weather stays hot and dry, it only takes one spark to start a wildfire. What can begin as a small fire can spread incredibly quickly, putting people, homes, wildlife and our countryside at risk. 'We're asking everyone to take extra care outdoors, whether that's avoiding disposable barbecues in the countryside, parks or moorlands, or making sure cigarettes are fully extinguished. 'A few simple actions can make a huge difference and help prevent fires before they start.' It comes as hundreds of firefighters have battled one of Spain's deadliest wildfires, which has killed at least 12 people in Almeria province in the south of the country. Four of the dead are believed to be British.