Story perspectives

England and Wales issue emergency wildfire alert, ban barbecues

8/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

On 14 August 2026 Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government issued an emergency alert warning of high wildfire risk across England and Wales.
The alert sounded at 7 p.m., overrode mode and barred disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators and fireworks.
The same day the government imposed a ban on disposable barbecue sales across Great Britain.
Crews tackled 43 wildfires as the National Fire Chiefs Council recorded 1,132 wildfires in England and Wales in 2026.

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Story summary

On 14 August 2026 Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government issued an emergency alert warning of high wildfire risk across England and Wales.
The alert sounded at 7 p.m., overrode mode and barred disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators and fireworks.
The same day the government imposed a ban on disposable barbecue sales across Great Britain.
Crews tackled 43 wildfires as the National Fire Chiefs Council recorded 1,132 wildfires in England and Wales in 2026.