Phones across Yorkshire buzzed with the UK’s Emergency Alert siren this evening, as the Government issued a nationwide warning over the ongoing wildfire risk.
The alert began reaching phones from 6.57pm on Friday 14 August, telling people not to light anything that could spark a fire, including disposable barbecues, campfires, garden incinerators or fireworks, and warning that even a small flame can quickly grow into a large wildfire.
The alert was sent across the whole of England and Wales, meaning every part of Yorkshire, from Leeds and Sheffield to Hull and York, received the same warning tonight. The Cabinet Office has described it as the most extensive emergency use of the national alert system to date.
Very high risk
Some readers may have first seen the alert on their phone in Welsh rather than English. The Welsh version reached phones at 6.57pm.
The Government’s official English wording, now published on gov.uk/alerts, was sent four minutes later at 7.01pm, and reads: “There is a very high risk of wildfires nationally. Residents, landowners and visitors should not undertake any activity that could start a fire, including disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators or fireworks.
“Even a small flame can rapidly develop into a major wildfire placing lives, homes, businesses and emergency responders at risk. Follow official updates and report signs of fire immediately by calling 999. Search gov.uk/alerts for more information.”
Tonight’s alert follows a fast-moving few days of wildfire warnings this week, including the anniversary of the Langdale fire and North Yorkshire’s renewed calls for a ban on disposable barbecue sales, and Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s emergency Cobra meeting on Wednesday, where he said the Government was considering forcing exactly this kind of ban nationally.
That consideration appears to have become policy: alongside tonight’s alert, the Government has confirmed an immediate ban on the sale of disposable barbecues, a funding and support package for firefighters and affected residents, and plans for a national wildfire summit later this year bringing together fire chiefs, the National Fire Chiefs Council and the Fire Brigades Union.
Anyone who sees signs of fire is urged to call 999 immediately.
