Firefighters are braced for more wildfires as a fourth heatwave hits Britain.
During the last heatwave earlier this month, the emergency workers were tackling almost 20 significant wildifres across England and Wales as the UK sweltered in soaring temperatures.
Last week, firefighters worked day and night to extinguish flames across Arthur’s Seat for the second time this summer.
Although Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed there were “no reported casualties”, Police Scotland brought the area to a standstill, shutting down nearby roads to all vehicles.
Now, authorities are concerned that the rest of Britain could suffer the same fate – so emergency services have been put on standby.
A National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) spokesman said: “With the Met Office warning that a fourth heatwave could develop this week, bringing another period of very hot weather to parts of the UK, fire and rescue services remain on alert and are continuing to prepare for renewed wildfire risk.”
“Most wildfires are preventable and we are asking everyone to play their part in helping to protect our communities, wildlife and natural spaces, while easing the pressure on firefighters who have already faced an exceptionally challenging summer.”
Following a cooler spell over the past two days, the UK is gearing up for its fourth heatwave as soon as this Wednesday, when temperatures could climb to 33C.
The scorching climes will continue on Thursday across parts of southern England.
Meanwhile, a yellow heat alert has been issued from tomorrow at 9am until Friday across the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, the south east, south west and east of England.
Northern areas, including Northern Ireland and Scotland, will enjoy cloudier weather, as well as periods of rain forecast for the regions.
The UK Health Security Agency has warned of upcoming “significant impacts” on health and social care services.
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They further warned the hotter temperatures could be particularly dangerous for vulnerable people, including the elderly and those with health conditions.
Over the weekend, firefighters were trying to combat furious infernos across Europe as world leaders took emergency action to address the issue.
On Sunday, a massive wildfire tearing through south west France expelling more than 220,000 people from their homes in the Gironde region alone, in what has become one of the largest evacuation operations in the nation’s history.
The French President, Emmanuel Macron, ordered 1,000 soldiers to confront what authorities dubbed the most devastating blazes the nation has ever experienced.
Meanwhile, another 116,000 were evacuated in Spain as its Prime Minister declared a state of emergency.
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