England records second-highest number of wildfires on record

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 15:00 · Archive

England experienced its second-highest number of wildfires on record in 2026, driven by extreme heat and prolonged dry conditions.

England experienced its second-highest number of wildfires on record in 2026, according to provisional government figures released by the government. The surge was driven by a very hot summer that combined with prolonged hot and dry conditions throughout spring and summer, leaving land severely parched and creating drought conditions across large areas of England.

The extreme weather conditions created ideal circumstances for wildfires to spread rapidly, with the combination of heat and lack of moisture leaving vegetation highly susceptible to burning.

How it is being reported

• England wildfires soar to second-highest on record after extreme weatherProlonged hot and dry conditions across spring and summer left land parched and plunged large swathes of England into droughtThe Independent · 8 Oct, 11:56
• Number of wildfires recorded in England in 2026 was second highest on recordEngland's very hot summer fuelled the second-highest number of wildfires on recent record, according to provisional government figures.Sky News · 8 Oct, 09:48

In this story: England

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