Millions of mobile phones across England and Wales sounded an emergency alert on Friday evening as the government warned of a serious and widespread wildfire risk. The alert, which began sounding at around 7pm, urged people to avoid any activity that could spark a fire, including lighting barbecues, campfires or fireworks, and told them to call 999 immediately if they saw a blaze.
Deputy Prime Minister Louise Haigh described it as the broadest rollout yet of the UK's emergency alert system for an ongoing incident, underlining how seriously ministers are treating the threat to people and property.
"In response to the continued risk proposed by wildfires, the government has taken the decision to issue an emergency alert to England and Wales. This is the most extensive use of the UK's emergency alert system in response to an active incident, and reflects the seriousness with which the government is acting to safeguard people and property."
"During this period of extreme heat, we are asking people to take simple steps to limit the risk of further fires. By following the safety guidance, everyone can play their part in protecting local communities and supporting our frontline services who are working around the clock to keep people safe."
"The government will continue to provide every assistance to communities being impacted by these fires, including the deployment of 100 additional military personnel in major incident areas."
What exactly did the alert tell people to do?
According to the government's official announcement, the message was sent out on a rolling basis from roughly 7pm and specifically instructed people not to use disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators or fireworks. Officials also advised people to steer clear of open flames in parks and the countryside, never to leave a barbecue unattended, to dispose of smoking materials with care, and to take all litter home with them, particularly glass bottles, which can act as a fire-starting lens in dry conditions.
Why has Andy Burnham imposed a barbecue ban?
The Prime Minister travelled to Stourbridge on Friday after a spate of fires broke out across the West Midlands, telling the public that "Britain is a tinderbox right now" and warning of a difficult weekend ahead. He confirmed an immediate ban that will stay in force for as long as the wildfire danger remains elevated. This builds on an earlier order detailed in our report on the temporary UK-wide ban on disposable barbecues, which Burnham introduced alongside a military deployment as the heatwave-driven crisis escalated.
How large is the military and emergency response?
Around 100 armed forces personnel have already been sent to support overstretched emergency services in south Wales, with a further 100 expected to arrive on Friday evening. Troops are helping distribute water, move equipment, transport personnel and provide wider logistical backup. This follows an earlier deployment described in our coverage of soldiers assisting firefighters near Llandovery, where up to 20 homes were evacuated, and a separate blaze forced residents from their homes in Ferndale.
How does this compare with previous wildfire activity this year?
2026 has already become a record year for wildfires in England and Wales, with the number of incidents surpassing the 1,017 recorded across the whole of 2025. Fire services declared 11 major incidents in the 24 hours before the alert was issued. Separately, the National Fire Chiefs Council reported that crews had responded to 966 wildfires across England and Wales so far this year, including 185 blazes in just the first ten days of August, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council. The same body said fire and rescue services had declared nine major incidents in a single day, taking the year's total linked to extreme heat and wildfires to 25.
Earlier stages of this summer's crisis included a major incident declared over a wildfire in north Wales and a period in which the UK's third heatwave of the year intensified alongside spreading wildfires, with temperatures nearing the mid-30s°C and health alerts remaining active because of the fire risk.
Where is the danger greatest right now?
Natural England has identified southern England and parts of the south Midlands as facing the highest wildfire risk over the coming days, according to a national broadcaster's report, while many other areas remain at very high risk. The same report noted that a major incident had already been declared in Wales in July as fires spread across the UK. Firefighters were also still working to contain a major wildfire around Llangynidr Reservoir near Ebbw Vale, with crews from Mid and West Wales and South Wales fire services on scene since 7 August, as detailed in a broadcaster's report on the Wales moorland fire.
What happens next?
The government has said the emergency funding, military support and disposable barbecue ban will all remain in place for as long as the wildfire risk stays high, according to its official statement. The National Fire Chiefs Council has warned that risk levels remain severe across large parts of England and Wales, with some locations classed as facing extreme risk. Crews are continuing efforts to fully contain the Llangynidr Reservoir fire and prevent it from reigniting, according to Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
Key Facts
- The emergency alert sounded on phones across England and Wales from around 7pm on Friday, warning of a serious national wildfire risk.
- An immediate ban on disposable barbecues, announced by Andy Burnham, will remain in force while the risk stays high.
- About 100 military personnel are already assisting emergency services in south Wales, with 100 more due to arrive.
- 2026 has recorded more wildfire incidents than the whole of 2025, with 11 major incidents declared in one 24-hour period.
- The National Fire Chiefs Council recorded 966 wildfires this year, including 185 in the first ten days of August alone.
