The Prince of Wales, Prince William, has stated that wildfires across the UK and Europe are a "stark reminder of the challenges posed by an increasingly extreme climate". His comments come as more than 300,000 people have been evacuated from areas of France and Spain due to ongoing fires.
In the UK, a major incident was declared in the Cairngorms, Scotland, over the weekend due to a significant wildfire. London Fire Brigade reported dealing with over 1,300 incidents, including grass fires, and urged the public to avoid disposable barbecues and dispose of smoking materials responsibly.
Europe is experiencing warming at twice the global average rate, according to the Copernicus climate service. This trend is linked to more frequent summer heatwaves, increased pressure on water supplies, and more intense wildfires.
Temperatures are forecast to rise again later this week, with some areas anticipating a fourth heatwave of the year. Provisional Met Office data indicates that July has been 3C above average across the UK, potentially making it one of the hottest Julys on record.