Wildfire alerts have been issued over major areas of the UK because of dry weather likely to continue in April. The Met Office and fire services have expressed concerns about a heightened risk of wildfires, especially in England, Northern Ireland, and southern Scotland.
The Fire Severity Index, measuring daily fire danger, is already at an amber level, signaling extreme conditions likely to initiate wildfires. The alert comes with a rise in temperature, which is predicted to hit 22°C on Friday. Authorities have requested individuals, particularly in London and Dorset, to avoid the use of disposable barbecues and to dispose of cigarettes and litter correctly in order to avoid fires.
Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk warned that persistent strong winds and dry conditions would maintain wildfire threats. Showers in the South West, though, could bring relief, although western Scotland will see dry conditions on Friday and Saturday.
London Fire Brigade assistant commissioner Paul McCourt warned against complacency, citing such recent Los Angeles and South Korean wildfires that engulfed everything in their path in moderately warm conditions. He warned people off barbecues in open areas or on balconies and encouraged careful waste disposal to keep fires at bay.
Scotland’s Kilpatrick Hills suffered wildfires last week, and Scottish Fire and Rescue issued a warning that wildfire conditions would be “very high to extreme” throughout the remainder of the week. Firefighters also battled an extensive one in the mountains of Swansea in March, when 20 hectares of gorse burned.
The wildfire warning comes after unprecedented weather conditions. March 2025 was the sunniest on record for England since 1910 when keeping records started, and the whole of the UK recorded its third sunniest March. The precipitation was way off average, but only Shetland received precipitation above average. The persistent drought has increased speculation regarding fire blazes around the nation.
