Millions of mobile phones across England and Wales received an emergency alert on Friday evening, warning of a very high risk of wildfires nationally and urging the public not to engage in activities that could spark fires, including disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators, and fireworks.
The alert, described as the most extensive use of the UK’s mobile phone alert system, was triggered at the request of firefighters and followed a period of prolonged dry conditions. Fire services reported a high volume of 999 calls from concerned residents, many of which were deemed unnecessary by emergency responders.
Fire chiefs respond to call surge
Fire services across multiple regions issued urgent statements advising the public to only call 999 in the event of a genuine emergency or immediate risk to life, property, or the environment. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service stated on X (formerly Twitter) that it was experiencing a high volume of calls to its 999 control room, emphasizing that reports of neighbors using barbecues or bonfires did not constitute an emergency unless significant smoke or flames were present.
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service echoed this message, urging vigilance but requesting that the public reserve 999 calls for actual emergencies. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service also reiterated the need for restraint, asking residents to avoid reporting non-emergency fire-related activities.
Government and political response
Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged the public to take the warning seriously, confirming that the alert was issued following a request from firefighters. Cabinet Office minister Louise Haigh described the alert as the most extensive use of the mobile phone system to date.
The alert coincided with a period of heightened wildfire activity in the UK. According to the National Fire Chiefs Council, firefighters have responded to 966 wildfires across England and Wales this year, including 185 in the first 10 days of August alone—a figure that exceeds totals recorded in 2022 (748) and 2025 (848), two of the busiest years on record. Notable incidents include a 660-acre peatland fire at Holme Fen near Peterborough and a blaze in Kenninghall, Norfolk, which spread to nearby homes, causing significant damage.
Conditions and prevention efforts
Wildfires require two key factors: dry conditions and an ignition source. The UK has experienced weeks of minimal rainfall, creating tinder-dry landscapes vulnerable to fire spread. While dry weather alone does not cause wildfires, activities such as discarded cigarettes, barbecues, or fireworks can provide the spark needed to ignite them.
Firefighters have been battling multiple ongoing blazes, including an unpredictable fire in the New Forest, Hampshire, covering an area roughly equivalent to 230 football pitches. Smoke from the Holme Fen fire was visible at least 10 miles away, according to Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service.
What the public can do
Authorities have reiterated that while the public should remain cautious, only genuine emergencies warrant a 999 call. Residents are encouraged to follow local guidelines on outdoor fires and report any suspicious or hazardous conditions through non-emergency channels where appropriate.