A severe summer heatwave pushed temperatures toward 36 degrees Celsius across central and southern England on Thursday, triggering extreme wildfire warnings and widespread disruptions to power, water, and transport.
The Met Office recorded a provisional temperature of 33.1 degrees Celsius in London by 1 p. m.
>>> Electric Vehicle Repair Issues Drive Up Insurance Premiums by Up to 25%
, while an amber heat health alert remains in place until Sunday evening.
This marks the third major heatwave of the season, prompting Forestry England to raise the wildfire risk level to red across the South West due to dangerously dry conditions.
Officials Urge Public to Avoid Open Flames
Emergency services reported heightened vulnerability in woodlands, citing dozens of previous blazes sparked by human negligence that have threatened local ecosystems and strained resources.
Katy Mansell, Forestry England area manager, stressed the danger of lighting barbecues and fires in the countryside despite the appeal of sunny weather.
"Each time we manage to safely extinguish a forest fire, we feel very thankful that the outcome wasn't a very different story," Mansell said.
She urged the public to protect rural areas by refraining from any open burning or outdoor cooking in forested zones.
"It will take decades to make up for one moment of carelessness," she added.
Weather Pattern Shifts, Storms Possible
Forecasters indicated that the extreme high-pressure system will gradually shift position over the coming days, altering the distribution of the highest temperatures.
>>> Greenland Energy Claims Oil Drilling Rights Amid Government Denials
