Parts of the UK are bracing for the fifth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures expected to reach up to 38C. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for extreme heat, covering large parts of England including London, Birmingham, and Sheffield, effective from 9am tomorrow until midnight.
This summer is currently on track to be the UK’s hottest since records began, according to the Met Office. The extreme heat has contributed to 966 wildfires across England and Wales this year, with 185 occurring in the first 10 days of August alone, as reported by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).
In response to the heatwave, the government is convening an emergency Cobra meeting today, chaired by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. A Downing Street spokesperson stated that the government will continue to take action to keep communities safe, protect water supplies, support farming, and safeguard the environment.