Wildfires latest: Firefighters battling major incidents as Britons warned ‘country in the thick of it’

Four 14-year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a “deliberate fire” was set on a mountain in South Wales.

The teenagers have since been bailed under investigation, the force added.

“These incidents put communities at risk, can impact people’s health, threaten wildlife, and divert emergency resources away from people who need us,” Detective Inspector Steve Jones said in an update on Facebook.

Do not call 999 to report neighbours having barbecues unless there is an emergency; fire services have warned following an influx of calls.

Millions of people in England and Wales received an alert on their mobile devices on Friday evening, warning them of “a very high risk of wildfires nationally”.

The UK’s mobile phone alert system told the public it “should not undertake any activity that could start a fire, including disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators or fireworks”.

The alert was “the most extensive use” of the UK’s mobile phone alert system, Cabinet Office minister Louise Haigh said.

West Midlands fire service are now updating residents about whether they can return to their homes in Stourbridge.

Residents are being asked to head to the turn of Worcester Lane/ Pedmore Court road with a proof of address. An emergency services officer will then tell the resident if it is safe to return to their property, or if further assessment of the property needs to be made.

In an update posted to Facebook, the service said: “You must follow all instructions given by emergency services personnel on scene. We understand that this has been an extremely difficult and distressing time.”

Soldiers from one of the UK’s standby battalions joined fire fighters to tackle wildfires in the region this week.

Around 200 military personnel were deployed to South Wales following a request from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) for logistical, operational and planning support as crews tackled ten large fires across the region.

The personnel came from one of the UK’s three standby battalions, held at high readiness to support emergency services and local authorities during major incidents.

Personnel from the Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistical Regiment, with headquarters support from 22 Royal Engineers. Around 100 personnel were initially deployed, with a further 100 expected to follow.

Their main task was to provide logistical support, including water distribution, helping to free firefighters and specialist responders to focus on frontline firefighting. They also assisted with moving equipment, supplies and personnel to ensure resources reached critical locations quickly.

Military teams supported emergency services in accessing remote and difficult terrain, improving their ability to respond to the ongoing fires, the MoD said.

Thursday was reported to be the country’s hottest day this year, with a total of 40 locations across central and southern England recording temperatures of 36C or higher.

But now, Monday is set to bring respite from the heat, with the Met Office sharing: “Rain is on the way from Monday afternoon, bringing a change after recent dry weather.”

The moorland fire in Saddleworth, near Holmfirth road in Oldham, has been extinguished, the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service have said.

Fire crews will remain at the scene to check for hot spots over the next 24 to 48 hours. The moor fire broke out on Wednesday evening, with eight fire engines rushed to the scene.

At its height, the fire covered an area measuring 500m by 150m.

A fire next to the track between Stockport and Chesterfield is disrupting trains on the Norwich/ Nottingham/ Liverpool Lime Street route, East Midlands Railways has said.

Emergency services are on site to manage the incident. In a post on X, East Midlands Railway said that disruption is expected for the rest of the day between Sheffield and Liverpool Lime Street.

Four fire crews are attending a fire by Totley rail tunnel in Sheffield, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue have said.

They have advised people living in the area to keep their windows and doors closed.

East Midlands Railway have also said that trains are not running between Stockport and Chesterfield due to a fire next to the track.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have said that they are receiving a high volume of 999 calls about bonfires, BBQs and smoke in the area.

They have asked people to only call 999 if there is an emergency. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service have stressed that people should only call 999 if there is a “fire producing significant smoke”.

They added: “We are unable to respond to reports of neighbours having BBQs, or bonfires”.

The Bishop of Dudley, Martin Gorick, has spoken about how he had to evacuate his home due to wildfire in Stourbridge.

He told Times Radio: “I was at home with my wife Catherine…and saw an enormous plume of smoke, I have to say”.

Asked what he did after he was evacuated, he said: “Finding my own place to live to start, which was what about 400 people were having to do overnight.

“We set up Stourbridge town hall, the council set that up.

“A call came in, could we find bedding for 150 people, and the community really rallied together, churches and mosques.

“Within an hour we had 150 [amounts of] bedding, and people could find a place to sleep.”

“It’s very strange to live out of two carrier bags. We’ve been to two friends houses but you don’t want to overstay, and we’re at another tonight”.

He warned: “This could happen anywhere in England today….If this is the new normal, we need to wake up to it.”