Phones across England and Wales buzz with urgent wildfire warning amid heatwave

Millions of residents in England and Wales were

Millions of residents in England and Wales were jolted by a loud siren on their mobile devices on Sunday evening, as authorities issued a stark alert about the heightened danger of wildfires sweeping the region during an intense spell of hot weather.

The emergency notification, sent just after 7 p.m., urged people to avoid lighting barbecues, campfires, or any other flame that could easily ignite dry vegetation. Officials described the risk as severe and nationwide, prompting one of the broadest uses of the country's public warning system to date.

Deputy Prime Minister Louise Haigh confirmed that this was the most extensive deployment of the emergency alert mechanism since its launch, reaching millions of phones simultaneously. The message, accompanied by a piercing alarm, stressed that the current conditions posed a serious national threat of fire outbreaks.

Fire services have been on high alert, with

Fire services have been on high alert, with several regions already reporting grass and heathland blazes in recent days. The alert aims to prevent further incidents by discouraging outdoor cooking or any careless behavior that could spark a blaze, as temperatures are expected to remain elevated in the coming days.

Officials also reminded the public to report any signs of smoke or fire immediately, emphasizing that early detection is critical to containing potential disasters. The warning comes as climate experts point to more frequent and intense heatwaves, which amplify wildfire risks across the country.

While no immediate evacuations were ordered, the government urged everyone to stay vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel to high-risk areas, and follow local guidance. The alert is set to remain in effect until the heatwave subsides, with further updates possible as conditions evolve.