Story perspectives

81% of UK fire services changed plans over water shortages

By Drooid · Oct 21, 2026, 7:59 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

UK firefighters struggled to obtain water for wildfires in the 2026 summer.
Fire chiefs council chair Phil Garrigan told MPs limited pressure slowed fire response.
In Stourbridge, refilling a water carrier took almost 40 minutes because of low pressure.
81% of UK fire and rescue services changed emergency plans over water-supply worries.
The Environment Agency warns England may lack 5bn litres by 2055.

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Story summary

UK firefighters struggled to obtain water for wildfires in the 2026 summer.
Fire chiefs council chair Phil Garrigan told MPs limited pressure slowed fire response.
In Stourbridge, refilling a water carrier took almost 40 minutes because of low pressure.
81% of UK fire and rescue services changed emergency plans over water-supply worries.
The Environment Agency warns England may lack 5bn litres by 2055.