UK faces 'exceptional' wildfire risk as health alerts issued with heatwave to last 'until at least next week'

By OLIVIA DAY, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR, AUSTRALIA and FRANCINE WOLFISZ, NEWS REPORTER Published: 11:20, 12 July 2026 | Updated: 11:28, 12 July 2026 An 'exceptional' wildfire warning has been issued for parts of the country as the latest heatwave brings soaring temperatures, health alerts and hosepipe bans. Large swathes of England and Wales are at 'very high' risk of wildfires while parts of the south Midlands and southern England are at the highest 'exceptional' risk. Natural England has warned that three successive heatwaves and a prolonged lack of rain have left large parts of the country facing an elevated wildfire risk. Amber and yellow heat health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency from 9am on Sunday to 9pm on Wednesday. An amber alert is in place for the West Midlands and South West England, with officials warning of significant impacts on health and social care services, including a rise in deaths among people aged over 65 and those with existing health conditions. A yellow alert has been issued for the North West, the East Midlands, the East of England, London and the South East. The UKHSA said similar impacts were possible in these areas, including a potential increase in water-related incidents. The increased fire risk prompted the London Fire Brigade to urge people not to use disposable barbecues over the weekend. High temperatures and strong winds have prompted the brigade to raise London's fire risk from 'elevated' to 'extreme' between Saturday and Monday. Parts of the UK are facing an 'exceptional' wildfire risk as a lingering heatwave sends temperatures soaring and sparks health alerts (pictured, Wimbledon Common on Saturday) Large swathes of England and Wales are at 'very high' risk of wildfires while parts of the south Midlands and southern England are at 'exceptional' risk, according to Natural England A surge in emergency calls during the hot weather has prompted the Metropolitan Police to urge people to call 999 only if there is an immediate danger or crime in progress. Other incidents should be reported online. The warnings come as the Met Office forecasts temperatures will continue to exceed 30C across parts of England and Wales over the coming days. While a risk of thunderstorms could develop in parts of the south from Monday, most areas are expected to stay dry, sunny and very hot. Met Office deputy chief forecaster David Hayter said central and southern England and Wales are set for several consecutive days with temperatures above 30C. He said the bulk of the heat will then 'gradually' shift towards western parts of the UK, bringing some much-needed reprieve to eastern coastal areas.  Parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland could see heatwave conditions return by midweek, although a cold front is expected to keep northern Scotland cooler. 2026 has already shattered several weather records, becoming the first year in which temperatures of 35C have been recorded in the UK on six separate days. The previous record was jointly held by 1976 and 2020, when temperatures exceeded 35C on five days.  Visitors are given umbrellas to sheile from the scorching sun outside Sir John Soane's Museum The Met Office has confirmed parts of England and Wales will continue to exceed 30C on Sunday and over the next few days (pictured, riders and their horses cool off in Dorset) This year also became the first to see temperatures of 35C or higher across three calendar months, as well as temperatures of 34C or higher recorded over nine dates. Forecasters say the heatwave is likely to begin breaking by Thursday as a change in weather pattern ends the prolonged dry spell. The Met Office has forecast an increasing risk of showers and thunderstorms, particularly across southern parts of the UK.  It comes after London was plunged into chaos on Friday after wildfires ripped through the shrubbery close to one of Britain's busiest train stations. Stratford station was evacuated and temporarily closed on Friday night as 60 firefighters and eight fire engines battled the blaze. Last month, a huge wildfire tore through Tintwistle Moor near Glossop in Derbyshire, with firefighters battling the blaze for up to 24 hours.  Three people have died in water-related incidents in recent days. The body of an 18-year-old man was recovered from near a weir at the Darley Abbey Mills complex, near Derby, after two teenagers got into difficulty.  An 18-year-old man died at Dovestone Reservoir, Oldham, on Friday.  People flocked to the seaside resort of Lyme Regis as temperatures soared on Saturday The increased fire risk saw the London Fire Brigade (LFB) ask the public to refrain from using disposable barbecues over the weekend (pictured, shrubbery on fire near Stratford Station) Several bushfires broke out near the railway at Stratford station on Friday (pictured) 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.  Meanwhile, a growing number of water companies have imposed hosepipe bans across parts of eastern England, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Kent, with further restrictions due to come into force this week. Pressure on water supplies has intensified after successive heatwaves followed the warmest spring on record for England and Wales. Anglian Water's restrictions affecting five million customers took effect at 1am on Saturday, while about 850,000 people in Kent are affected by a South East Water ban. Cambridge Water has announced a temporary hosepipe ban for its 350,000 customers, which will start at 1am on Friday.  This marks the first time in three decades it has introduced the restriction, with the company saying teams are working around the clock to maintain supplies. Affinity Water's hosepipe ban will affect almost four million customers across parts of London and the South East when it comes into force on Friday.