Firefighters in England and Wales have responded to 966 wildfires this year, with 185 occurring in the first 10 days of August alone, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council. This number exceeds the figures for the same period in 2022 (748) and 2025 (848), which were previously among the busiest years on record for wildfire activity.
The ongoing dry conditions, caused by weeks of minimal rain, have created an environment conducive to fires. The government issued mobile phone alerts on Friday evening, warning against igniting anything that could spark a wildfire, such as barbecues, firepits, and fireworks.
Recent incidents include a blaze at a 660-acre peatland nature reserve at Holme Fen, near Peterborough, and a wildfire near Diss, Norfolk, which damaged nearby homes. Firefighters are also tackling an "unpredictable" fire in the New Forest, Hampshire, affecting an area approximately the size of 230 football pitches.
Suffolk's chief fire officer, Jon Lacey, has urged the public to "remain vigilant" and avoid barbecues, bonfires, and discarding cigarettes on the ground. Advice from fire services includes using barbecues and campfires only in designated safe areas, ensuring cigarettes are fully extinguished, and properly disposing of disposable barbecues and vapes.