{"id":161938,"date":"2022-08-11T08:45:47","date_gmt":"2022-08-11T08:45:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/?p=161938"},"modified":"2022-08-11T08:45:47","modified_gmt":"2022-08-11T08:45:47","slug":"uk-weather-met-office-warns-of-exceptionally-high-risk-of-wildfires-as-36c-heatwave-hits-britain-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/uk-weather-met-office-warns-of-exceptionally-high-risk-of-wildfires-as-36c-heatwave-hits-britain-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"UK weather: Met Office warns of 'exceptionally high' risk of wildfires as 36C heatwave hits Britain | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"

BRITAIN is at "exceptionally high" risk of wildfires as a 36C heatwave hits this weekend, the Met Office warned.<\/p>\n

The risk of fires in parts of England and Wales on Sunday has increased from "very high" to "exceptional" on the Fire Severity Index.<\/p>\n


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This means most of southern England – as far west as Abergavenny in Wales – is at the highest level on the Met Office's scale.<\/p>\n

The latest alert follows their recent amber weather warning of extreme heat in place since yesterday until Sunday.<\/p>\n

Today the country is set to bask in glorious 30C weather as the country overtakes holiday destination Hamilton, Bermuda, which sent the mercury to 29C on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Yet thermometers could peak at 36C in some areas on Saturday – so weather and fire experts are being cautious of the wildfire risk.<\/p>\n

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Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna told the PA news agency: "The risk is very high across much of central, southern and eastern England.<\/p>\n

"Going into Friday and the weekend, it starts to increase further, going into the highest category of exceptional risk."<\/p>\n

In the past few weeks wildfires have broken out across the UK where dry grass and woodlands have caught alight.<\/p>\n

Mark Hardingham, the chairman of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) told The Telegraph said the summer heat has been unlike any other over his entire 32-year career in the fire service.<\/p>\n

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He said: "We're not going to see temperatures as hot as we saw three weeks ago, but that doesn't matter because the ground couldn't get any drier than it already is."<\/p>\n

Mr Hardingham added: "The wildfires are as prevalent in semi-urban areas as they are in rural communities so it's difficult to know where the next one will be."<\/p>\n

The UK Health Security Agency has also released a Level 3 Heat Health Alert for southern and central England lasting until 6pm on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Officials have warned Brits to look after each other in the fierce heat of the next few days.<\/p>\n

Those in the hottest areas should take care to stay hydrated, close their curtains and avoid wildfire smoke.<\/p>\n

The risk of fires is so high because southern England had experienced its driest July since records began in 1836, according to the Met Office\u00a0.<\/p>\n

South-East and central southern England had an average of just 5mm (0.2ins) of rain last month, while East Anglia had only slightly more with 5.4mm (0.21ins).<\/p>\n

Hosepipe bans have also been enforced across the country affecting millions as water companies scramble to save supplies.<\/p>\n

Brits in certain areas\u00a0are forbidden from using hosepipes to water gardens or clean cars, and ornamental ponds and private swimming pools must remain empty.<\/p>\n

But river flows and groundwater levels could even remain low for the next three months, the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology warned.<\/p>\n

Mr Petagna from the Met Office said that rain could be on the horizon early next week.<\/p>\n

He said: "There are signs that we could get some rain next week, but details at the moment are uncertain.<\/p>\n

"What we really need is a few weeks of light rain to soak into the ground.<\/p>\n

"Thunderstorms are more likely to cause some flooding issues because the ground is hard the water can't sink in."<\/p>\n

At the end of last month,\u00a0a massive wildfire erupted in Suffolk\u00a0just hours after fire crews tackled a series of enormous blazes across London and Surrey.<\/p>\n

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Knodishall Common in the east of the coastal county was engulfed by flames on Sunday evening – sending black smoke billowing across the area.<\/p>\n

To avoid more wildfires, Brits have been advised not to light bonfires or have barbecues.<\/p>\n


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