The British Army has been deployed to assist firefighters battling a series of wildfires across England and Wales, following a formal request for 200 military personnel to support civilian emergency teams. The move comes as fires have destroyed homes and forced authorities to declare a major incident.
Fires devastate communities in Stourbridge and Stoke-on-Trent
In the West Midlands, 'apocalyptic' scenes unfolded as flames gutted 19 homes and damaged 18 others in Stourbridge. Meanwhile, in Stoke-on-Trent's Goldenhill area, residents lost 'everything' as their houses turned to ash within seconds. Two people were later arrested on suspicion of starting a grass fire.
In South Wales, 30 separate wildfires have continued to rage, with fire crews warning of an 'extremely high risk' of fire spreading across the region. The escalating situation prompted South Wales Fire and Rescue Service to submit a formal request for military assistance, which was granted.
Prince of Wales and officials express gratitude
The Prince of Wales sent a message of thanks, saying: 'To the firefighters, emergency responders and volunteers battling wildfires across the UK, thank you. Our thoughts are with everyone affected, particularly those who have lost their homes, and with those working tirelessly to protect communities, homes and the countryside.'
Elin Jones, MS, Cabinet Minister for Finance, said: 'We are extremely grateful to the Army for providing this additional support. The Welsh Government stands ready to provide funding for these military support operations should this be required.' Stephen Kinnock, Secretary of State for Wales, added that military personnel were there for logistical support and to 'ease the pressure on the ground'.
Military resources and aerial firefighting gaps
Ministry of Defence sources told The Telegraph that the department was exploring how resources could be diverted further, including deploying water pumps and fire engines used by the Defence Fire and Rescue Service, which primarily protect British defence estates. Military support was previously provided during the Covid-19 pandemic to help administer vaccines.
The deployment follows a Cobra meeting on Wednesday, where Andy Burnham met with officials to address soaring weather conditions. Rhun ap Iorwerth, the Welsh First Minister, said attendees had considered 'specialist capabilities such as helicopters and support from the Ministry of Defence and RAF where appropriate'. However, wildfire-fighting helicopters, which can drop up to six tonnes of water, are not directly accessible to UK fire brigades. Britain's military firefighting aircraft are currently deployed in Cyprus.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU), representing around 34,000 in the rescue service, said access to aerial firefighting capabilities is needed where 'appropriate' due to increasing risks.
Public urged to prevent fires
Burnham has urged the public 'not to light anything that could spark a fire, including barbecues, campfires, and fireworks'. This follows a ban on the sale of disposable barbecues due to their 'significant' risks. An emergency alert startled millions on Friday night, which the PM later explained was a 'direct request from fire and rescue services'. He likened Britain to a 'tinderbox' when temperatures exceeded 38°C on August 13.
Now, the Labour leader has said the focus is on 'to keep everyone safe and prevent more fires from starting'. The military support aims to ease pressure on fire crews and protect communities as the crisis continues.
