South-east England is preparing for another period of hot weather, with temperatures expected to reach 30C today. An amber heat health alert has been issued for the entirety of England, remaining in place until Friday evening, with temperatures potentially reaching 37C on Thursday.
The whole of the South East was officially declared to be in drought on Monday. Hastings Borough Council has temporarily switched off the Breeds Place and Millstone fountains due to the water usage of fountains during extreme heat. South East Water has apologised to 39 properties in Ulcombe, Kent, where water supplies remain disrupted.
A red fire alert has also been issued for areas in East and West Sussex and Surrey. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) reported that firefighters have responded to 966 wildfires across England and Wales this year, including 185 in the first 10 days of August. July was the busiest month on record for wildfires, with 458 incidents.
Crews from Surrey and West Sussex have been assisting Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service with a fire in the New Forest, which began on Sunday after a van caught fire on the A31 near Ringwood.