Don't light a BBQ this Easter, fire service warns
Fire chiefs urged the public not to light barbecues over Easter amid a risk of wildfires.
Surrey's Fire and Rescue Service said barbecues should be left at home and exchanged for picnics following a period of warm, dry weather across the country.
It comes after fires broke out in parts of the UK this month, with an 'extreme' wildfire warning in place for the whole of Scotland. Fire alerts have been issued for London, Surrey and Yorkshire.
Red pollen alerts were also issued in every English region barring the North East, with birch and ash tree pollen the main cause.
While temperatures are expected to drop from Sunday, fire chiefs have urged the public to stay vigilant and exercise caution when enjoying the remainder of the sunshine.
Matt Oakley, of the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'It's very much an issue that's here to stay.
'Wildfires are easy to start, and spread very quickly, often through BBQs not being extinguished properly or bonfires burning garden waste, which then leads to embers igniting vegetation.'
According to the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), fire and rescue services in England and Wales have responded to 380 wildfires so far this year – more than double the number for the same period in 2022, which went on to be a record year.
Phil Garrigan, the NFCC chairman, said: 'We want people to enjoy this lovely weather, we are just asking that they take extra care.
'One inconsiderate action or small mistake can have huge consequences when it comes to wildfires, so we are asking that people follow this important advice so that they can keep themselves and everyone else safe.'
From next week, temperatures are expected to drop to the mid teens.
The Met Office said that with the change in weather 'meteorologically, we're moving away from the conditions that have led to the wildfires taking place over the last 10 days or so'.
Grahame Madge, a spokesman for the Met Office, said: 'Conditions will obviously be changing given the unsettled nature, so we'll be transitioning to the cooler conditions and some rainfall, which will further suppress any risks of wildfire.'
This is 'not in any way dreadful weather. It's just going to be a change from what we've experienced', he added. 'If you can avoid the showers, then it will still be nice.'
There is also a chance of thunderstorms over the weekend across the South West and western Wales.
It is looking to be rainier than last month, when historically low rainfall saw England have its sixth driest March since records began in 1836.
The Royal Life Saving Society UK has urged the public to be safe around water if taking a dip while the warm weather lasts.
Research from the charity found that when temperatures reach 21C to 22.9C – some 2.5 times as many drownings occur each day, in comparison to cooler days.
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