An out-of-control blaze has sparked a major incident in North Wales as parts of the UK face an ‘exceptional’ wildfire risk amid soaring temperatures.
Firefighters have been battling the blaze near Sychnant Pass on Conwy Mountain on Sunday as nearby residents are evacuated from their homes.
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service have declared a major incident in the area.
Penmaenmawr Town Council has urged those living in parts of Capelulo, around the Fairy Glen public house, to evacuate the area due to thick smoke.
Residents in nearby communities have also been told to keep their windows and doors closed, with the Gladstone Inn deemed a place of safety for evacuees.
Service Delivery Manager Jami Jennings, of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said efforts would continue for ‘some time’ due to the size and complexity of the fire.
‘Firefighters remain on scene working in challenging conditions to contain the fire and protect surrounding communities, property, infrastructure and the environment.
‘The incident involves a co-ordinated response from multiple fire appliances, specialist wildfire resources and partner agencies.
Parts of the UK are facing an ‘exceptional’ wildfire risk as a lingering heatwave sends temperatures soaring and sparks health alerts (pictured, Wimbledon Common on Saturday)
Large swathes of England and Wales are at ‘very high’ risk of wildfires while parts of the south Midlands and southern England are at ‘exceptional’ risk, according to Natural England
‘We would ask members of the public to avoid the affected area to allow emergency services to work safely and efficiently.’
It comes amid warnings large swathes of England and Wales are at ‘very high’ risk of wildfires, while parts of the south Midlands and southern England are at the highest ‘exceptional’ risk.
Natural England has warned that three successive heatwaves and a prolonged lack of rain have left large parts of the country facing an elevated wildfire risk.
Amber and yellow heat health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency from 9am on Sunday to 9pm on Wednesday.
An amber alert is in place for the West Midlands and South West England, with officials warning of significant impacts on health and social care services, including a rise in deaths among people aged over 65 and those with existing health conditions.
A yellow alert has been issued for the North West, the East Midlands, the East of England, London and the South East. The UKHSA said similar impacts were possible in these areas, including a potential increase in water-related incidents.
The increased fire risk prompted the London Fire Brigade to urge people not to use disposable barbecues over the weekend.
High temperatures and strong winds have prompted the brigade to raise London’s fire risk from ‘elevated’ to ‘extreme’ between Saturday and Monday.
Visitors are given umbrellas to sheile from the scorching sun outside Sir John Soane’s Museum
The Met Office has confirmed parts of England and Wales will continue to exceed 30C on Sunday and over the next few days (pictured, riders and their horses cool off in Dorset)
Dave Swallow, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) wildfire deputy lead and lead tactical adviser, warned that such conditions ‘significantly increase wildfire risk’.
‘But most wildfires start because something provides the spark,’ he added.
‘Whether it is a disposable barbecue left behind, a discarded cigarette or even a glass bottle left in the sunshine, we all have a role to play in preventing them.
‘Summer should be a time for people to enjoy the outdoors but it’s important not to underestimate the risks. Every year we see devastating wildfires and tragic drownings in inland water.
‘As more schools break up for the summer holiday, we’re asking people to enjoy the warmer weather safely, look out for one another and take simple steps to help prevent avoidable tragedies.’
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue has been called out to two moorland wildfires in recent days while London Fire Brigade dealt with a blaze involving shrubbery at Stratford Station on Friday evening, which caused rail line closures.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called out to a ‘large fire in the open’ on the South Downs near Eastbourne on Saturday while teams also tackled a blaze at Devil’s Dyke in South Downs National Park in West Sussex.
It comes as hundreds of firefighters have battled one of Spain’s deadliest wildfires, which has killed at least 12 people in Almeria province in the south of the country.
Four of the dead are believed to be British, according to regional authorities.
People flocked to the seaside resort of Lyme Regis as temperatures soared on Saturday
The warnings come as the Met Office forecasts temperatures will continue to exceed 30C across parts of England and Wales over the coming days.
While a risk of thunderstorms could develop in parts of the south from Monday, most areas are expected to stay dry, sunny and very hot.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster David Hayter said central and southern England and Wales are set for several consecutive days with temperatures above 30C.
He said the bulk of the heat will then ‘gradually’ shift towards western parts of the UK, bringing some much-needed reprieve to eastern coastal areas.
Parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland could see heatwave conditions return by midweek, although a cold front is expected to keep northern Scotland cooler.
2026 has already shattered several weather records, becoming the first year in which temperatures of 35C have been recorded in the UK on six separate days.
The previous record was jointly held by 1976 and 2020, when temperatures exceeded 35C on five days.
This year also became the first to see temperatures of 35C or higher across three calendar months, as well as temperatures of 34C or higher recorded over nine dates.
The increased fire risk saw the London Fire Brigade (LFB) ask the public to refrain from using disposable barbecues over the weekend (pictured, shrubbery on fire near Stratford Station)
Forecasters say the heatwave is likely to begin breaking by Thursday as a change in weather pattern ends the prolonged dry spell.
The Met Office has forecast an increasing risk of showers and thunderstorms, particularly across southern parts of the UK.
It comes after London was plunged into chaos on Friday after wildfires ripped through the shrubbery close to one of Britain’s busiest train stations.
Stratford station was evacuated and temporarily closed on Friday night as 60 firefighters and eight fire engines battled the blaze.
Last month, a huge wildfire tore through Tintwistle Moor near Glossop in Derbyshire, with firefighters battling the blaze for up to 24 hours.
Three people have died in water-related incidents in recent days.
The body of an 18-year-old man was recovered from near a weir at the Darley Abbey Mills complex, near Derby, after two teenagers got into difficulty.
An 18-year-old man died at Dovestone Reservoir, Oldham, on Friday.
Several bushfires broke out near the railway at Stratford station on Friday (pictured)
And the body of a woman was recovered from the Falls of Falloch, a popular beauty spot in Stirling, Scotland, after she got in difficulty in the water on Friday evening.
Meanwhile, a growing number of water companies have imposed hosepipe bans across parts of eastern England, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Kent, with further restrictions due to come into force this week.
Pressure on water supplies has intensified after successive heatwaves followed the warmest spring on record for England and Wales.
Anglian Water’s restrictions affecting five million customers took effect at 1am on Saturday, while about 850,000 people in Kent are affected by a South East Water ban.
Cambridge Water has announced a temporary hosepipe ban for its 350,000 customers, which will start at 1am on Friday.
This marks the first time in three decades it has introduced the restriction, with the company saying teams are working around the clock to maintain supplies.
Affinity Water’s hosepipe ban will affect almost four million customers across parts of London and the South East when it comes into force on Friday.
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