Dozens of firefighters have been battling fresh grass fires in east London amid the the threat of severe wildfires in the capital.
The risk from blazes in capital, now officially in a drought, is “very high” today according to a Natural England fire severity index.
Dramatic pictures showed a blaze ripping across grassland in Hornchurch. There was also a fire destroying a large area of land in Rainham today.
In Suffolk, a major incident has been declared after a large heathland blaze erupted on the coast at Dunwich Heath, near Leiston.
Meanwhile a man has died after getting into difficulty in the sea off Frinton in Essex.
Temperatures in London are expected to ease today with a high of 27C predicted after a high of 34C yesterday.
Follow the latest updates below…
Londoners rejoice as first drops of rain in London fall for weeks
Londoners are celebrating after the first drops of rain fell in the capital in weeks.
Residents of south London reacted as rain fell in some areas in the past hour.
More images show the fire in Hornchurch.
At the height of the fire, around six hectares was alight, the London Fire Brigade said.
There were no reports of any injuries.
Fireifighters used backpack blowers, which work just like leaf blowers to help beat back the flames.
They allow firefighters to push flames back into already burnt areas.
This is a tactic that provides a faster, more efficient attack on wildfires.
Wildfire beaters are also being used. The beater is made of a long handle with a flat piece of rubber at the end. T
They’re used to beat the flames, which deprives them of oxygen and cools them down.
Firefighters spray water over the burnt ground at the site of a wildfire in Hornchurch
AFP/Getty
Parkland near Hornchurch ablaze due to the dry conditions
PA
Man dies after getting into diffculty in sea in Essex
A man has died after getting into difficulty in the sea off Frinton, Essex Police said.
Emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after 2pm to reports that a man had got into difficulty in the sea off The Esplanade and had been brought ashore.
Despite the efforts of emergency services, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Drought declared in whole of Wales
Drought has now been declared across the whole of Wales, with this month on course to be the driest July in Wales since records began 190 years ago, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said.
North Wales and the Upper Severn were given drought status last week and, after continued low rainfall and high temperatures, this has now been extended to include the whole of the country, the devolved Government agency said.
The majority of rivers across Wales are exceptionally low, and the dry conditions are leading to river beds drying out, distressing fish, causing algal blooms, and raising concerns from farmers about crop growth, the body said.
It added there were also concerns about grazing conditions and levels of drinking water for livestock, it added.
Rhian Thomas, Sustainable Water and Nature Manager at NRW, said: “The intensity of the heat and the exceptional lack of rainfall means this is a rapidly changing picture in Wales.
“Our teams are closely monitoring forecasts and river flows and responding to increasing environmental concerns and incidents across Wales.
“The toll on the environment, our land and agriculture is clear to see, with many of our teams still dealing with the aftermath of extensive wildfires which have devastated forestry, grassland and special habitats.
“With no strong indications for notable rainfall in the forecasts, and risks of further heatwaves over the summer, it’s more important than ever that we all use water wisely. Every drop we waste is less water for our rivers and wildlife when they need it the most.”
UK should prepare for more wildfires, says National Trust
The National Trust’s Director General, Hilary McGrady, has said the UK must prepare for more frequent and severe wildfires.
McGrady said: “We’ve all been watching in horror as our neighbours in Europe are battling the most extreme fires. Fires like these might once have seemed unthinkable in Europe and the UK – but that certainty is gone.
“So we need action and we need political will. We must adapt, urgently, to these conditions.”
Hilary McGrady
PA
‘Don’t let a hot day end in tragedy,’ says Sir Sadiq as he issues drowning warning
Sir Sadiq Khan has issued a drowning warning, urging people to “stick to designated swimming locations.”
The London Mayor said in a post on X: “Don’t let a hot day end in tragedy.”
It comes as the London Fire Brigade was forced to rescue a person in the Thames at Battersea Pier over the weekend.
Suffolk fire blazes just 5km from Sizewell B
The Sizewell B nuclear plant is on high alert as a wildfire in Suffolk blazes just kilometres away.
The nuclear plant has an emergency plan in place, including in the case of fire, but is currently not affected by the blaze.
It is being monitored closely as the fire services work to tackle the fire – which has grown to the size of 140 football pitches.
Sizewell B
PA
Homeless families living in 37C flats after air conditioning switched off
Homeless families in London were found to be living in 37C apartments after air conditioning units were manually turned off by the landlord.
The families – who are being housed in temporary accommodation in south London – were subjected to scorching temperatures, with two children hospitalised.
You can read the full story here:
National help requested by Suffolk fire services
Fire services in Suffolk are requesting national help after more than 20 hours tackling the blaze.
Chief fire officer Jon Lacey has said his crews are “tired and worn out”, with the blaze still the size of 140 football pitches.
He is calling for extra firefighters and forces fro elsewhere in the UK.
Firefighters at the scene in Suffolk (Suffolk County Council/PA)
PA Media
London hits 27C
It’s around 27C at 2pm in London.
The Met Office was forecasting highs of 28C but it looks as though it could start to cool off. If it does, it would mean London’s fourth heatwave will officially come to an end.
That said, there’s still plenty of time for the mercury to rise.
Met Office
