The UK has been gripped by a fourth heatwave this year, with temperatures soaring above 30°C in parts of the country yesterday.
Images of parched grasslands have become all too common in 2026, as half of England officially enters drought conditions. The severity of the drought has led to a hosepipe ban in 21 counties, affecting over 23 million people.
With the country on high alert, fire chiefs have issued widespread wildfire warnings. Firefighters are battling several outbreaks across the nation, including a two-week-long blaze in Cairngorms national park in Scotland.
Residents in Suffolk are bracing for the worst as a massive wildfire rages on Dunwich Heath, just four miles from the UK's largest nuclear power station. The Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has focused on protecting nearby properties, including Coastguard Cottages, Mount Pleasant Farm, and Cliff House Holiday Park.
The fire broke out on Wednesday evening and is spreading rapidly towards St James' Church. Authorities have advised people to avoid the area, and an amber heat-health alert remains in place for several regions, including the East Midlands, the East, South East, and London.
Fortunately, some respite may be on the way, as temperatures are expected to drop to average levels across much of the country from today. However, Deputy Chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway has cautioned that the forecasted rain may not be enough to offset the drought conditions.
Across Europe, wildfires have ravaged areas in France and Spain, forcing the evacuation of over 330,000 people. In Greece, three firefighters tragically lost their lives while battling separate infernos in Crete and the southern Peloponnese region.
