Fire chiefs and frontline firefighters have warned that Britain is entering a 'new wildfire era' as prolonged drought conditions, repeated heatwaves and increasingly severe blazes place growing pressure on emergency services across the country.
The warning comes as firefighters battle major wildfires in several regions, including a significant blaze in Hampshire's New Forest, where more than 120 firefighters have been deployed to contain flames threatening rare habitats and wildlife. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has described strengthening the UK's wildfire response as a 'national priority', arguing that fire services must be better equipped to deal with a changing climate.
