Wales and North England hit by multiple wildfires amid UK firewave

A heatwave across the United Kingdom has driven wildfire risk to a "very high" level, prompting warnings from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and urging residents to stay vigilant. Temperatures in parts of Scotland were forecast to reach 28 °C, while dry, tinder‑ready conditions spread across England and Wales.

Several large fires have erupted. In Merseyside, dunes near Hightown burned for hours on 14‑15 July, requiring three fire engines and a night‑long response. In North Wales, the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service tackled simultaneous blazes on Conwy Mountain, the Rhinogydd range near Harlech, and in Braichmelyn Forest near Bethesda, where evidence of makeshift fire pits was found. A separate wildfire on the Mumbles cliff path near Swansea was declared under control after a rapid emergency‑services response. In the Dovestone moorland area of Greater Manchester, fireworks set off by youths sparked a blaze that forced evacuations and led to the arrest of a 20‑year‑old woman on suspicion of arson.

Fire services have issued repeated appeals for the public to avoid open fires, fire pits, and irresponsible barbecues, to dispose of cigarettes safely, and to report any visible flames. Hundreds of homes were threatened, with some evacuations and smoke affecting nearby communities, while firefighters continued to monitor hotspots for flare‑ups over subsequent days.