UK heatwave sparks major wildfires

July 13, 2026

A powerful heatwave sweeping across the United Kingdom has sparked a surge in dangerous wildfires, prompting emergency services to declare a major incident in North Wales as firefighters battle multiple blazes across England and Wales.

North Wales declares major incident

Emergency crews have been working around the clock to contain a fast-moving wildfire on Conwy Mountain, where extreme heat, strong winds, and dry vegetation have created hazardous conditions. Authorities evacuated residents living near Conwy Mountain and the Sychnant Pass, urging the public to stay away from affected areas while firefighting operations continue.

Local officials also advised residents in nearby communities, including Capelulo, to keep windows and doors closed due to heavy smoke and to seek medical attention if they experience breathing difficulties.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service described the firefighting effort as highly challenging, warning that crews are likely to remain at the scene for an extended period. At the same time, firefighters have also been responding to several additional grass fires, including incidents in Braichmelyn Forest near Bethesda.

Wildfires spread across England

The wildfire crisis extends far beyond Wales. In Greater Manchester, emergency crews are tackling a moorland fire close to Dovestone Reservoir. Officials warned that strong winds could carry smoke over long distances, encouraging nearby residents to remain indoors with windows and doors shut.

In Camberley, Hampshire, firefighters have spent hours bringing a large heathland fire under control after flames spread across roughly 10 hectares near the Surrey border. Crews continue monitoring the area to prevent remaining hotspots from reigniting.

Elsewhere, wildfire incidents have also been reported across County Durham, Derbyshire, East Sussex, West Sussex, Devon, and Somerset, highlighting the widespread impact of the prolonged spell of hot, dry weather.

Derbyshire and County Durham face ongoing fire threat

Firefighters in Derbyshire continue working on persistent hotspots from a wildfire that first ignited during the previous heatwave in late June. The blaze has already devastated approximately 260 hectares of moorland and woodland, with helicopters assisting ground crews by dropping water on inaccessible areas.

Meanwhile, firefighters in County Durham quickly responded to a wildfire covering an area comparable to around 14 football pitches near Durham University. Emergency teams successfully extinguished the flames within about an hour after receiving the initial call.

Additional fire crews have also been deployed to tackle grassland fires in Devon, Somerset, and West Sussex, while emergency services in the South Downs National Park have responded to separate fires near Devil's Dyke and Eastbourne.

Extreme heat raises wildfire risk

Environmental experts warn that southern England and parts of the South Midlands currently face the country's highest wildfire danger, while much of England and Wales remains under a very high fire risk.

The combination of record-breaking temperatures, prolonged drought, low humidity, and strengthening winds has rapidly dried vegetation, creating ideal conditions for fast-spreading wildfires. Authorities caution that these weather conditions allow even small fires to grow rapidly and become significantly more difficult to control.

Forecasts suggest wildfire danger could gradually ease later in the week as winds weaken and scattered rainfall becomes more likely.

Heatwave brings health and water safety concerns

The UK is entering a second consecutive week of temperatures exceeding official heatwave thresholds, prompting amber and yellow heat-health alerts covering much of England.

Health officials warn that extreme temperatures could place additional pressure on healthcare services while increasing health risks for older adults, people with chronic medical conditions, and other vulnerable groups.

Authorities have also issued urgent water safety reminders following several recent drowning incidents. Emergency services continue to urge people to exercise caution around reservoirs, rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, where warm weather often leads to increased recreational activity.

Climate change increasing extreme weather events

Scientists continue to link rising global temperatures to more frequent and intense heatwaves, creating conditions that significantly increase wildfire risk. Longer periods of drought, hotter summers, and stronger weather extremes are expected to make large-scale wildfires increasingly common across parts of the UK and Europe in the coming years.