Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired an emergency COBRA meeting earlier today as Britain faces another spell of extreme heat, worsening drought conditions and a growing threat from wildfires.
Temperatures are expected to reach 37–38°C in parts of southern and eastern England on Thursday, with an amber extreme-heat warning in place across large areas of England.
The meeting brought together ministers, emergency services and government agencies to discuss the escalating risks posed by the hot and exceptionally dry conditions.
Wildfire threat grows
Fire chiefs have responded to hundreds of wildfires this year, with 966 recorded across England and Wales, including 185 during the first 10 days of August alone.
The prolonged dry weather has left vegetation and soil exceptionally dry, allowing fires to spread more rapidly and making them harder for firefighters to control.
The Government has urged the public to take extra care outdoors, particularly by avoiding activities that could accidentally start fires.
As part of the response, the Prime Minister has also called on retailers to stop selling disposable barbecues, warning that they can contribute to wildfire outbreaks. A wider ban on disposable barbecues could potentially be considered as the Government looks at longer-term measures to reduce the risk of fires during extreme weather.
Concerns across Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire is among the areas facing heightened fire risk as the heatwave continues.
Reports of fires spreading through extremely dry vegetation have added to concerns about the ability of emergency services to contain new outbreaks during the latest heatwave.
BPE News has not been able to independently verify reports of an underground fire spreading in Cambridge, and this detail should not be treated as confirmed until information is provided by Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service or another official source.
The wider fire situation, however, is confirmed to be placing significant pressure on fire services across the country.
A growing national emergency
The COBRA meeting comes as Britain experiences its fifth heatwave of 2026 and faces severe drought conditions.
The Met Office has warned that temperatures could climb to around 38°C, while government figures show the country has already experienced a record number of days above 30°C this year.
The Government is also facing pressure over water supplies, with drought affecting large parts of the country and millions of people already subject to water restrictions.
Officials are urging people to stay hydrated, check on vulnerable relatives and neighbours, and follow advice from emergency services during the extreme heat.
With temperatures expected to rise further, authorities are warning that the combination of extreme heat, dry ground and wildfire risk could continue to put communities and emergency services under significant pressure.