Wildfire alerts around UK and millions face hosepipe bans as heatwave sets in

BBC News

11-07-2025

Update:
Date: 15:36 BST
Title: Wanstead Flats grass fire brought under control after two-and-a-half hours
Content: London Fire Brigade says the grass fire on Wanstead Flats in Manor Park was brought under control at 15:13 - crews were first called at 12:49.
About 14 acres of grassland were alight, but there are no reports of any injuries, LFB notes.
Station commander Darren McTernan adds: "Capel Road, Aldersbrook Road and Forest Road are currently closed and we advise people to avoid the area where possible, as we are likely to be on scene for a number of hours this afternoon."
Update:
Date: 15:30 BST
Title: Significant rise in the number of very hot days
Content: Mark PoyntingClimate reporter
It can be easy to forget just how quickly the UK's climate is changing.
Days exceeding 30C (86F) - known as 'very hot' days by the Met Office - might feel normal, but they used to be much rarer.
During the last decade, the number of these 'very hot' days more than trebled compared with the 1961-1990 average, according to the Met Office.
It's well established that human-caused climate change is making hot weather more likely and more intense.
As humans burn coal, oil and gas and cut down forests, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere.
These gases act like a blanket, causing the planet to heat up.
And even a small increase in Earth's average temperatures has a disproportionately big impact on heat extremes.
Update:
Date: 15:14 BST
Title: UK heatwave at a glance: Firefighters respond to London grass fire and millions face hosepipe bans
Content: About 70 firefighters are tackling a grass fire in east London this lunchtime, according to London Fire Brigade. We don't yet know the full extent of the fire, but we'll keep you updated.
Meanwhile, here's a quick recap as a heatwave sweeps across the country.
Amber health alerts are in place across large parts of England - covering London, the South East, South West, East of England, West Midlands and East Midlands - as several places see temperatures over 30C (86F).
Astwood Bank in Worcestershire is leading the charts so far, with a temperature of 31.5C recorded at 13:00.
The heat has led to hosepipe bans - more than six million people in several areas of England have been told not to use their hosepipes until further notice.
As the working week ends, the sun is sticking around. Amber health alerts for England are in place until Monday, and our weather team says the heatwave will persist over the weekend and into the beginning of next week.
We're keen to hear how you're coping - details on how to send us your tips and pictures are in this post.
Update:
Date: 14:49 BST
Title: Dozens of firefighters tackling grass fire in east London
Content: Some developing news from east London, where about 70 firefighters are tackling a grass fire on Wanstead Flats.
The full extent of the fire isn't yet clear, but London Fire Brigade says it's had more than 20 calls about the blaze and has sent 10 crews - including a "wildfire response vehicle" - to the scene near Capel Road in Manor Park.
"We know it's a warm day, but if you live in the vicinity, please keep windows and doors closed due to smoke being produced by the fire," says LFB's Darren McTernan.
LFB has also issued a fresh warning as the capital faces its latest heatwave.
"As the weather has been so dry, it only takes a few sparks to lead to a fire spreading rapidly," a spokesperson says. "In London, this can be dangerous because so many of our green spaces lie close to homes and other properties."
Update:
Date: 14:37 BST
Title: Your tips for staying cool in the hot weather
Content: We've been hearing your suggestions on how to stay cool during the current hot spell.
Here are a few of our favourite tips so far:
Sue recommends taking a plastic bottle filled with freezing water, wrapping it in a thin tea towel, and bringing it to bed.
Lindsay suggests soaking cloth or baseball sun hats in water, wringing them out, or wearing wide-brimmed straw hats to keep your neck and face cool.
Lynda's tip is to open your loft hatch, as heat rises up into the loft. She also suggests freezing small treats and kibble in water to make cool ice pops for dogs.
And Robin recommends closing south and west windows, drawing the curtains, keeping a constant supply of cold drinking water, and immersing both feet in a cold bucket of water.
Update:
Date: 14:22 BST
Title: Here's where it's hottest this lunchtime
Content: Ben RichLead weather presenter
It's hot out there this lunchtime with a number of places now above 30C (86F).
Astwood Bank in Worcestershire looks to be the hot spot so far, recording a temperature of 31.5C (88.7F) at 13:00 - but other places across England and Wales including Cardiff, Hull and Yeovil - have seen the mercury climb into the thirties.
The warmest places in Scotland and Northern Ireland are hovering around 25C (77F) this lunchtime, with temperatures set to climb a little further over the next few hours.
Update:
Date: 14:19 BST
Title: Charity advises special precautions for people with dementia
Content: As temperatures rise, vulnerable people may forget to stay hydrated or wear suitable clothing, the Alzheimer's Society says.
The charity has shared some tips to help keep vulnerable family members or friends safe.
These include keeping homes cool and avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day - between 11:00 and 15:00.
It's also a good idea to leave plenty of water within easy reach, along with high water content foods like ice lollies and melon.
With about a million people in the UK living with dementia - and some potentially isolated - the charity suggests: "popping round to check on a neighbour, friend or family member with dementia can help keep them safe during the hot weather."
Update:
Date: 14:08 BST
Title: Prolonged heat turns Greenwich Park's grass dry and sandy yellow
Content: Nick JohnsonReporting from Greenwich
I'm in Greenwich Park. It's hot, it's sticky - and the lack of any breeze isn't helping.
The heat hasn't stopped people from enjoying the sights of Greenwich, however.
One couple who live nearby tell me we're all going to have to get used to hotter, drier summers.
Another couple visiting from Tennessee say our hot weather is a pleasant break from the humidity they get back home in the US.
The grass here, which was a deep green just a couple of months ago, is now dry, sandy and a scorched shade of yellow. It's the sort of grass that crunches under foot.
With no significant rainfall expected over the coming days, the grass is unlikely to get any greener.
Update:
Date: 13:55 BST
Title: Tradition trumps temperature at the 166th Great Yorkshire Show
Content: Rowan BridgeReporting from Harrogate
Even though it's due to reach 29C (84F), some of the staff at the Great Yorkshire Show are still dressed in the formal attire of dark suits and bowler hats.
Sunglasses and sunscreen are definitely the order of the day for humans. Ice cream sellers are doing a roaring trade and the queue to refill water bottles is 20-deep.
For those on four legs, I've seen animals being hosed down or even given their own fans to help keep them cool.
The parched showground tells its own story of the lack of rain, and the hot weather is due to continue into the weekend.
There may be some showers at the start of next week, but that won't be enough to end the hosepipe ban for Yorkshire Water customers.
Update:
Date: 13:47 BST
Title: Wales and Scotland forecast to surpass record temperatures
Content: Darren BettLead weather presenter
These are the highest temperatures recorded for each UK nation so far this year.
Today they're not going to reach the 35.8C (96.4F) recorded on 1 July at Faversham, Kent, but Wales and Scotland are forecast to exceed their highs, which were both recorded in June.
Update:
Date: 13:31 BST
Title: Water, chillies, furry friends - what you've been sending us from across the UK
Content: As we fan ourselves towards lunch, let's take a look at the scene around the UK right now - sent in by the BBC's weather watchers.
It's also a good time to remind you we're keen to hear about your experiences and see your pictures during the heatwave - you'll find all the details on how to get in touch in this post.
Amber alerts in parts of England mean it is important to grab the chance to find some shade
What we wouldn't give for a cool dip in Plymouth right now...
One furry friend in Bournemouth was clearly thinking the same
This residence in Cambridgeshire is hotting up in more ways than one - as the sunny scenes help chilli peppers thrive
Update:
Date: 13:16 BST
Title: Going to Oasis? Make sure to check the guidelines
Content: It's a big night for Oasis as their Live '25 tour arrives in the band's home city of Manchester.
If you're heading to Heaton Park tonight, be ready for the heat - highs of 30C (86F) are expected. Here are some guidelines from the organiser:
The band themselves have even offered some extra advice., external
Our colleagues in Manchester are covering the build up all day, if you want to escape the heat and enjoy some culture.
Update:
Date: 12:57 BST
Title: Keep yourself and your friends safe - these are signs you're overheating
Content: During hot weather, it's easy to overheat, which can sometimes lead to heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
Heat exhaustion isn't usually serious as long as you can cool down. But heatstroke is a medical emergency and needs immediate treatment.
Older adults, young children and people with long-term health conditions are especially at risk.
Here are the symptoms to watch out for:
Update:
Date: 12:41 BST
Title: Watch: How do heatwaves happen?
Content: The BBC Weather team explains how heatwaves take hold.
This video can not be played
Summer weather - how do heatwaves happen?
Update:
Date: 12:26 BST
Title: Thames Water warns of possible hosepipe ban
Content: Water company Thames Water has warned it could announce a hosepipe ban unless the current water shortage "changes significantly".
There are no restrictions on water use at the moment, but the company says there's growing concern and a risk of drought because of the warm, dry weather and increased demand.
"We're keeping a close watch on the situation and will keep you updated over the summer," the company says.
Update:
Date: 12:07 BST
Title: More than six million people told not to use hosepipes
Content: More than six million people in several areas of England have been told not to use their hosepipes after water firms warned of limited supplies due to prolonged dry and warm conditions.
South East Water told customers in Sussex and Kent not to use their hosepipes until further notice after it said there were record levels of demand for drinking water. The ban will be enforced from 18 July, the company says.
This comes after a hosepipe ban came into effect on Friday in much of Yorkshire, parts of North Lincolnshire and Derbyshire, affecting more than five million people. The head of Yorkshire Water told BBC 5 Live the ban is expected to last until winter as "that is when reservoirs will have recharged".
The restrictions mean watering plants, gardens and filling up swimming pools is a no-go - anyone flouting the restrictions could be fined up to £1,000.
Update:
Date: 11:55 BST
Title: Temperatures climb under sunny skies
Content: Ben RichLead weather presenter
The sun is shining over nearly all parts of the UK right now as you can see from an almost cloud-free satellite image.
And temperatures are responding with Northolt in north-west London reaching 29.2C by 11:00 BST - more than 3C higher than this time yesterday.
South Newington in Oxfordshire was at 28.6C and Charlwood in Surrey was at 28.2C.
Trawscoed in Ceredigion is Wales's warmest place so far with the mercury hitting 27.3C at 11:00 BST.
Scotland and Northern Ireland are a little cooler with temperatures so far reaching 25C at Lossiemouth in Moray and 23.2C at Castlederg in County Tyrone.
Update:
Date: 11:44 BST
Title: When is a heatwave really a heatwave?
Content: Many parts of the UK are experiencing a heatwave.
While a lot of people would describe an ordinary period of very warm or hot weather as a heatwave, the Met Office - the UK's official weather service - has a formal set of criteria.
It needs locations to reach a particular threshold temperature for at least three consecutive days and that varies from 25C (77F) across the north and west of the UK, to 28C (82.4F) in parts of eastern England.
Update:
Date: 11:20 BST
Title: 'We have a hosepipe ban but water leaking down our streets'
Content: Neela Patel says she wants the leak near her to be fixed as soon as possible
Yorkshire Water customers tell the BBC they are frustrated at the number of leaks that appear to go unchecked, after the water firm imposed the UK's first regional hosepipe ban of 2025.
As we've been reporting, a hosepipe ban came into force earlier on Friday affecting people across much of Yorkshire, parts of North Lincolnshire and parts of Derbyshire
Business owner, Neela Patel, says water has been pouring along Greasbrough Road, Rotherham, for two weeks.
"It's literally going out of that hole and straight into a drain," she says. "We just want it resolved, they've put a hosepipe ban on and it's just flowing out of there."
Fellow shop owner John Smallwood, says everyone in the area had reported it, calling it "ridiculous" to impose restrictions on customers while water was being wasted in this way.
A spokesperson for Yorkshire Water says it has reduced leakage by 15% over the last five years and "will be spending £38m over the next five years to continue bringing the number of leaks down".
Update:
Date: 11:00 BST
Title: Wildfire warnings in place for Northern Ireland and Scotland
Content: Land on Cawdor Estate near Nairn, Scotland, was affected by wildfires in late June
Wildfire warnings are in place in Northern Ireland and Scotland as the UK faces its third heatwave.
In Northern Ireland, a yellow alert from the Natural Hazards Partnership is in place from Saturday until Monday, indicating a likelihood of manageable wildfires.
A combination of dry vegetation paired with sunny, warm weather creates ideal conditions for wildfires to take hold. In April, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue service dealt with almost 150 wildfires, mainly in County Down.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has issued an extreme wildfire warning for the weekend, with a heightened risk of fires between Friday and Monday.
The warning "covers central and eastern areas on Friday 11 July" and extends to "all areas, except low-lying areas with green grass, from Saturday 12 July until Monday 14 July".
The warning comes as recently published images reveal the extent of some of the damage caused to moorland and forestry managed by Cawdor Estate, near Nairn, by fires in late June.