The Heat Is On

The country has experienced excessive heat in recent years, and such occurrences are becoming more frequent due to rises in global temperatures. Australia has experienced an increase in bush fires, and this year France and Spain have taken the brunt of the high temperatures in Europe with many areas exceeding 40 degrees Celsius for lengthy periods of time. As a result, both countries emergency services find themselves battling wildfires with some coming within several miles of major cities.

Here in Britain repeated heatwaves and exceptionally dry conditions have led to significant recent fires which include:

The Cairngorms National Park (Scotland) – One of the largest current incidents, with more than 500 firefighters deployed. The smoke plume has been visible from as far away as Aberdeen, and authorities have described it as among the worst wildfires Britain has experienced.

Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh – A substantial grass and heath fire affected the iconic hill earlier this month, requiring a major response from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Northern England – Large moorland and grass fires have been reported in North Yorkshire and County Durham, with additional incidents across Greater Manchester.

Southern England – Fires have also occurred in Devon, Somerset, East Sussex, West Sussex and around London, with some burning close to homes rather than in remote countryside.

So why are there so many? Britain has experienced three major heatwaves already this summer, with a fourth forecast. There has been exceptionally low rainfall, with parts of southern England having received only around 1% of their normal July rainfall. In addition, very dry grass, heathland and peat, have created ideal conditions for rapidly spreading fires.

Current figures indicate that thus far more than 18,600 hectares have burned across the UK this year. At least 65 large wildfires (over 30 hectares each) had been recorded by mid-July.

England and Wales had recorded 342 wildfires by early July, although larger individual fires have since become more common as the latest heatwave has intensified.

For Evington, the long-term wildfire risk is generally low to moderate, but the short-term risk can become high or even exceptional during prolonged hot, dry weather, such as the conditions experienced across the Midlands this summer.

Evington is not surrounded by extensive moorland or forest, so it does not face the same type of large, landscape-scale wildfires seen in places such as the Peak District, North Yorkshire Moors or the Scottish Highlands. However, there are several locations where grass fires could occur, including:

Evington Park

The Arboretum

Humberstone Heights Golf Course

Areas around Leicester General Hospital

Open grassland, playing fields and roadside verges

Nearby countryside towards Scraptoft and Bushby.

These fires are usually much smaller but can spread rapidly if vegetation is very dry.

One thing for sure, is that year on year these risks are likely to become magnified as the planet continues to warm at an alarming rate. Thus, we will have to adapt to excessive heat and the risk of wildfires.

In order to lessen such risk, the fire services is urging people to avoid disposable barbecues on open land, discarding cigarettes, lighting campfires and parking vehicles on dry grass, where hot exhaust systems can ignite vegetation.

Sources:

• https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/firefighters-battling-worst-wildfires-ever-seen-in-britain
• https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/jul/22/what-the-blazes-inside-the-24-july-guardian-weekly
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_Kingdom_wildfires
• https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/13/conwy-villagers-flee-homes-as-wildfires-burn-in-wales-and-england
• https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jul/27/uk-weather-fourth-heatwave-of-year
• https://nfcc.org.uk/fire-chiefs-warn-uks-third-heatwave-heightens-wildfire-risk
• https://www.instagram.com/reels/DbQaT2KgTwm/
• https://www.redcross.org.uk/stories/disasters-and-emergencies/uk/wildfires-uk-causes-risks-increasing
• https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/07/14/why-severe-wildfires-are-becoming-more-frequent-in-the-uk-and-how-to-cope-with-the-health-risks