Wildfires hit UK amid heat wave and drought

The east of England has become the latest part of Europe to suffer from wildfires caused by extreme heat, as holiday homes and a caravan park were evacuated in coastal regions of the county of Suffolk.

Although not on a comparable scale to the devastating blazes that have caused major incidents in southwestern France or near the Spanish capital, Madrid, the fires in an area called Dunwich Heath, close to the Sizewell B nuclear reactor, are serious enough for local authorities to have declared a major incident.

The plant, which began operations in 1995, is Britain's largest nuclear power station, generating around 3 percent of the country's electricity. It has safety measures in place to protect against wildfires and is not currently considered at risk.

Local fire station manager Dan Davis called the blaze a "large-scale, wind-driven forestry fire", and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has urged people to steer clear of beaches in the region "due to the ongoing nature and seriousness of the fire".

"We understand that the warm weather makes a trip to the coast very appealing, but for everyone's safety we are asking people to stay away from the area at this time," said a spokesperson from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service. "It is essential that the area and surrounding roads are kept clear to allow emergency services to carry out their work safely and effectively."

Water stress

Counties across England have experienced weeks of extreme heat and exceptionally low rainfall, creating ideal conditions for wildfires to break out.

Britain's Environment Agency said more than half of England is now officially suffering drought conditions, with some 78 percent of England's rivers below normal levels and reservoir storage falling to 75.3 percent of capacity. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency said much of its territory is also suffering from "significant scarcity" of water.

Areas of the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland have been burning for two weeks, causing environmental damage described as "apocalyptic", but it is hoped that lower temperatures and some much-needed rainfall will help bring the situation at least partly under control.

Hosepipe bans are already in place for 23 million customers in England, mainly in regions across the east and south, with the Environment Agency blaming the restrictions on recent high temperatures and record-low rainfall, and the consequences expected to last until October.

This summer marks 50 years since the UK's record-breaking heat wave of 1976, which remains a benchmark for extreme heat in the country. Water Minister Emma Hardy has warned people must be "prepared for this new normal" as droughts become "increasingly common".

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