The UK could see “exceptionally severe” wildfires spread in the south and east of England this week due to extremely hot and dry conditions, forecasters have warned.
The country is bracing for its fourth heatwave of the summer as temperatures are expected to soar to 35C in the hottest areas in the South East. Several amber and yellow heat alerts are in place as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned the rising temperatures may increase health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups.
It comes after a sweltering and exceptionally dry June which has left the UK’s most parched regions without rain for weeks.
An assessment from the Met Office shows by Wednesday, wildfires could be exceptionally severe if they start in parts of London, the South East and eastern England.
Parts of Wales have already declared drought status, while swathes of England are in “prolonged dry weather” status, which is the last stage before a drought is declared.
The Cairngorms in Scotland have been hit by a major wildfire while blazes have wrought destruction in mainland Europe this week.
Heat health alerts in place across UK
A number of amber and yellow heat health alerts are in place across the country as forecasters warn vulnerable groups are particularly likely to be affected by the incoming heatwave.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said: “The existing yellow heat-health alert for the East Midlands, East of England, South East and London has been upgraded to amber and will be in place from 9am on Tuesday 28 July until 9am on Thursday 30 July.
“A yellow heat-health alert will remain in place for Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands and South West regions for the same time period.
“There is no alert in place for the North East and North West regions.”
Nicole Wootton-Cane28 July 2026 08:45
Wildfires could be ‘exceptionally severe’, forecasters warn
Wildfires are likely to be “exceptionally severe” if they break out in the south and east of England this week, forecasters have warned.
An assessment by the Met Office found hot and dry conditions mean any wildfires that do start by Wednesday could be exceptionally severe if they start in parts of London, the South East and eastern England, as a result of the hot, dry conditions.
Blazes have wrought destruction in mainland Europe this week, with 220,000 people forced out of their homes in south-west France and 116,000 evacuated in Spain.
Nicole Wootton-Cane28 July 2026 08:43