England and Wales wildfires reach record level as heatwave fuels new blazes

Wildfires in England and Wales have hit a record level, fire chiefs said on Friday, with the number exceeding last year's total of 1,017. The UK is enduring its fifth heatwave of what is expected to be its hottest summer on record. Temperatures reached 38.1°C in London on Thursday, the fifth hottest day on record. Homes were destroyed and hundreds evacuated in Stourbridge and Pershore. Prime Minister Andy Burnham warned 'Britain is a tinderbox' with 37 fires smoldering. Fire services declared 11 major incidents in 24 hours and struggled to meet demand.

Wildfires in England and Wales have reached a record level, fire chiefs said on Friday, warning that rescue services were struggling to keep up with rising risks. The number of wildfires has now exceeded last year's total of 1,017, according to Phil Garrigan, chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council. Britain is enduring its fifth heatwave of what is expected to be its hottest summer on record, with temperatures reaching 38.1 degrees Celsius in London on Thursday, the fifth hottest day on record. Homes were destroyed and hundreds of people evacuated in Stourbridge and Pershore, where flames tore through homes and fields. Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged the public to take extra care during a visit to Stourbridge, warning 'Britain is a tinderbox right now' with 37 fires smoldering. Fire services declared 11 major incidents in the last 24 hours, and Garrigan said demands had outstripped the capability of the UK fire and rescue service. Around 45 million people live in a drought-hit area and 27 million face restrictions on water use, according to government figures. A major motorway was forced to close temporarily and train timetables were disrupted. Officials have yet to say if a train derailment in southern England was connected to the heat.