UK Braces for Record Heat and Heightened Wildfire Risks

Temperatures are expected to peak at 24°C on Friday, with fire services issuing urgent warnings as wildfire incidents surpass previous records.

The Met Office forecasts temperatures to reach 24°C on Friday, about 10°C above the seasonal average, marking the hottest day of the year so far.
A high pressure system is creating dry, settled conditions, significantly increasing the risk of wildfires across the UK.
Fire services report over 286 wildfires this year, more than 100 above the same period in 2022, with some incidents believed to be deliberate ignitions.
London Fire Brigade and other agencies have urged residents to avoid using barbecues and take precautions to prevent accidental fires.
England experienced its sixth driest March on record, with similarly low rainfall in Wales, underscoring the climate challenges contributing to the crisis.