Nationwide Alert Spurs Surge in 999 Calls Over Barbecues and Bonfires

A national emergency alert was sent to compatible mobile phones across England and Wales on a Friday evening as firefighters battled multiple wildfires. Shortly after the alert, fire and police services reported a sharp rise in 999 calls from members of the public reporting neighbours’ barbecues, bonfires and campfires, despite the lack of an immediate danger.

iNews

The Climate Change Committee warned in a May report that the UK faces increasingly frequent heatwaves and wildfires. It cited the summer of 2022, when temperatures exceeded 40 °C for the first time, noting a 500 per cent increase in 999 calls during the hottest July days compared with the daily average. That surge contributed to 14 fire-and-rescue services declaring major incidents.

iNews

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service all issued public statements urging callers to reserve 999 for genuine emergencies or immediate risks to life, property or the environment. Gloucestershire Constabulary redirected non-emergency calls away from both 999 and 101. Women’s Aid highlighted that the loud alert could expose hidden phones used by survivors of domestic abuse, with Veronica Oakeshott stressing the need for advance notice before future alerts.

iNews

Government officials defended the alert as justified by the scale of the wildfire threat and noted that it followed requests from fire-and-rescue services, alongside the deployment of military support and a ban on disposable barbecues.

iNews

• “Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service has received a high volume of 999 calls about BBQs, bonfires and campfires over the weekend. We understand people are concerned, but our Fire Control team needs to keep emergency lines clear for people who are in danger.” — Monday

iNews