Firefighters in the UK are experiencing increased pressure from an "unprecedented summer of dangerous and volatile wildfires," the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has stated. This comes as many parts of the country are preparing for a fifth heatwave of the year.
Authorities have declared almost three-quarters of England to be in drought. Steve Wright, the FBU general secretary, emphasised that equipping firefighters properly is a "national priority" to address the UK's "unpredictable environmental challenges."
More than 120 firefighters are continuing to tackle a blaze in the New Forest national park in Hampshire, which started on Sunday. Nottinghamshire fire and rescue service also declared a major incident on Sunday due to two large woodland fires near Mansfield.
Emergency calls to the London Fire Brigade have increased by almost a third this summer, with firefighters responding to a surge in wildfires and flooding. Between April 1 and July 9, the service received 75,652 emergency calls, which is 31% more than the previous five-year average.
Amber heat health alerts have been issued for the East Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, London, the north-west, south-east, and south-west, effective from Tuesday at 9am until Friday at 9pm. A yellow heat health alert is in place for the north-east during the same period. The Met Office anticipates temperatures could exceed 36C in some areas later in the week, with a peak expected on Thursday.