At least 19 wildfires were raging across the UK on July 14, 2026, with one moorland in Derbyshire burning for three weeks. Experts have warned the country is in the grip of a 'firewave' — a term describing wildfires in urban areas sparked by hot, dry weather.
What is a firewave and why is it happening now?
Dr Theo Keeping, who studies extreme weather at Imperial College London, explains: 'Each consecutive day of extreme fire weather means that a wildfire can grow larger, spreading faster each day as the edge of the fire grows longer. Fire weather waves account for about 4% of days in forested areas, but coincide with about half of the top 1% of extreme forest fires.'
The UK has seen 564 wildfires since January 2026, a 717% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to fire chiefs. Heatwaves in May, June and July have killed trees and dried out dead grass and twigs, creating abundant fuel. A lack of significant rainfall for days or weeks, combined with strong winds, has further increased the risk. Almost all wildfires are caused by human activities such as discarded cigarettes or unattended campfires.
Map shows areas at highest risk
Natural England regularly updates a wildfire risk map. As of July 15, 2026, almost all of England and Wales are under a 'very high' risk warning (orange). Yellow warnings for 'high' risk cover a sliver of the west coast and northeast of England, while pockets of northern England are under 'moderate' risk.
Thomas Smith, associate professor in environmental geography at the London School of Economics, says: 'There is really no part of the UK that is immune to wildfire. It doesn't take months of drought. Just a few weeks of hot, dry weather can dry fine fuels such as grasses, leaves and other dead vegetation enough for them to sustain a fire if an ignition occurs.'
Recent wildfires have occurred in London, Devon, Somerset, North Yorkshire, County Durham, Greater Manchester, East Sussex, West Sussex and North Wales.
London mayor urges precautions
London mayor Sadiq Khan warned residents to take precautions, including creating firebreaks around homes, keeping grass cut short, clearing garden waste, cutting back trees and shrubs, and positioning sheds away from buildings. He stated: 'An extreme wildfire risk remains in place across our city.'
When will the firewave end?
Meteorologist Jim NR Dale of the British Weather Services says the firewave will end when the heatwave does: 'Currently, from July 26, as an Atlantic lower-pressure system and accompanying rain try to move in – I stress, try!' He adds: 'Without a shadow of a doubt, the risk of wildfires will continue to increase due to climate change.'
Both the frequency and intensity of extreme wildfires have more than doubled in the last two decades, according to a 2023 study. Climate change makes fire seasons drier and hotter. Much of Europe has faced three blistering hot spells driven by a heat dome, a stubborn high-pressure system that traps hot air.
Very extreme fire weather conditions cover western and central Europe, according to the European Forest Fire Information System. Spain has been battling one of its deadliest wildfires on record, which has killed 13 people, including seven from the UK. The fire was sparked by a broken cable in a roadside ditch in Los Gallardos, Almería, ravaging 7,000 hectares of woodland and villages.
Future challenges for fire services
Smith warns that climate change means fire services may have to prioritise incidents: 'The reality is that during future firewaves, fire and rescue services may have to prioritise which incidents receive the greatest resources, while focusing on protecting lives, homes and critical infrastructure. That represents a significant shift from the traditional expectation that every wildfire can be suppressed quickly.'
