Firefighters tackling grass and recycling fires across Wales - BBC

Pembrokeshire Herald

About 100 firefighters are dealing with a fire at a recycling centre.

Dyfed-Powys Police said multiple agencies were now involved in trying to set up a plan to extinguish the blaze "in the next few days".

Motorists are asked to avoid the area near the centre at Waterston, near Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire. Residents are asked to stay indoors with the windows closed.

Crews are also dealing with a large number of grass fires across Wales.

The police force said a large storage unit had been destroyed by the Waterston fire, which broke out at about 14:00 BST on Sunday and has spread to an adjacent waste recycling centre.

A spokesperson said crews were working to extinguish the fire at both locations and mitigate further spread.

The B4325 road is closed, and motorists have been asked to avoid the area

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service had about 100 staff at the scene on Sunday night, with 14 appliances and specialist assets including a drone to help tactical officers tackling the blaze.

There have been no injuries, and there are no particular concerns for any nearby dwellings, so no evacuations are being considered at this time, the police spokesperson said.

But they added: "Significant smoke is billowing from the scene of the fire, and residents in the Johnston, Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock, and Neyland areas as well as the other side of the estuary are advised to keep windows and doors closed, and remain indoors until further notice."

Firefighters also attended Newgale beach, in Pembrokeshire, when fire broke out on a hillside there.

Tommy Laroche

Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas said: "Crews have worked extremely hard tackling the fire in hot and challenging conditions, to mitigate against the effects to the environment and from a public health perspective.

"Crews are also attending a large grass fire in Newgale, meaning approximately 20 appliances have been in attendance in the area tackling fires. This has placed a great deal of strain on our local resources."

Meanwhile, in Rhondda Cynon Taf, a serious fire closed the Rhigos Mountain Pass.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the mountain fire had melted fencing on the roadside, allowing boulders to fall onto the roadway. The road has been closed until further notice.

The service added that there were several hotspots that were inaccessible and the fire had been left to burn out, with the fire service due to check on the blaze periodically throughout the night.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council warned people to not attempt to cross the mountain road under any circumstances. They said the damage created a significant danger to road users and they hope to provide a further update on Monday.

Elsewhere in south-east Wales there was a blaze in the open at Duffryn, near Newport, another at Abercarn, in Caerphilly county, another at Devauden, in Monmouthshire and another in Sebastapol, in Torfaen.

There was also a grassfire at Maidenhall Point, in Pembrokeshire.

In mid Wales there was a fire near the main road between Welshpool and Montgomery, in Powys.

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2022-08-14 21:41:49Z
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UK weather: Four days of thunderstorms to bring more danger and not relief after country scorched on weekend of wildfires - Sky News

The UK is braced for several days of thunderstorms after a hot weekend which saw parts of the country grapple with wildfires - but the change in weather is likely to bring more danger rather than relief, meteorologists have warned.

A lack of rain and high temperatures have caused drought conditions which have turned much of the country's landscape from green to brown and yellow.

An amber heat warning remained in place on Sunday, as temperatures stayed north of 30C in parts of the UK.

Significant fires have been reported in parts of London, Kent, and Essex over the past two days, while the weather has also resulted in incidents of people getting into difficulty while swimming in lakes, rivers, and the sea.

UK weather latest: Search under way for person in Thames

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1:05

Smoke billows by road as fire rages in Kent

Fire and rescue services have been tackling an enormous number of wildfires around the country, especially in the South East, where there has been little rain at all since January.

One of Sunday's major blazes, at Bawsey Country Park, near King's Lynn, Norfolk, has been blamed on a disposable barbecue being "thrown" into woodland - resulting in the arrests of two men on suspicion of arson.

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Several services have described the recent demand as "unprecedented", with Dorset reporting that during the first 10 days of August, it attended 180 wildfires - compared to just 34 last year.

And the four days of thunderstorms expected next week are not likely to offer much relief.

Instead, the driest conditions in almost 50 years, which have water levels in reservoirs visibly lower and drought officially declared in eight areas of England on Saturday, may lead to flooding.

The thunderstorms are likely to bring significant rainfall, but it may be too much too soon.

Geographers and meteorologists say that the best type of rain to bring the earth out of its parched state would be a light drizzle.

Instead of soaking into the baked ground, the downpours that are expected could lead to large amounts of surface run-off - potentially causing sudden flooding and even power cuts, the Met Office has warned.

Read more:
What happens during a drought and how can you help?
How little rain has your area had compared to previous years?

Thunderstorm warnings in place to start the week

Met Office forecaster Dan Stroud explained that the "rain from really intense downpours will be unable to soak into the baked ground quickly".

"It's very difficult for the water to actually get in because it has to force the air out of the soil. So dry ground gets very quickly overwhelmed, and we then get surface run-off," he added.

The Met Office has issued yellow warnings about the thunderstorms, saying they could cause significant disruption on Monday across all but the most northern parts of the UK.

Get the five-day forecast where you are

"Spray, and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures," it said.

"There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.

"Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.

"There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost."

The yellow warning for thunderstorms will drop south throughout the week, affecting just England on Tuesday, and then the very south of England on Wednesday.

No warnings are in place for Thursday.

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2022-08-14 20:23:56Z
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More wildfires break out in baking heat as firefighters warn people not to take risks - Sky News

More grass fires have broken out in scorching conditions - with firefighters warning that people are continuing to hold barbecues in parks and drop cigarettes out of car windows.

Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to a fire in Enfield, north London, on Saturday afternoon.

An area measuring about 900m by 600m was alight, London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.

Yellow thunderstorm warnings for next week - weather latest

The fire produced a lot of smoke over the M25 between junctions 25 and 26, it added.

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"The smallest of sparks can start a blaze which could cause devastation," it said.

"Despite our continued warning over the last few weeks, we know there are still people who are barbecuing in parks, dropping cigarettes out of car windows and leaving rubbish lying around."

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said it was battling a large wildfire in the town of Camborne.

Nottinghamshire Police are appealing for information following a large fire in a field in Mansfield.

"A nearby house and a number of vehicles have been damaged because of the blaze, which is currently being brought under control by firefighters," the force said.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it had sent 10 fire engines to a crop fire in the village of Wye.

Image: Firefighters are battling a blaze in Enfield. Pic: London Fire Brigade

In Dorset, the local fire service said a disposable barbecue was the most likely cause of a big blaze on Friday.

Ninety firefighters and ten fire engines - including some called in from neighbouring areas - were sent to the scene in Studland.

There was "evidence of a little camp where someone had used a disposable barbecue", the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) said.

"We can't say 100% that was the cause but when we find evidence we have to assume that's the most likely cause," a spokeswoman added.

"Fires don't just start on their own."

Firefighters worked through the night to bring the flames under control.

Dorset Police said on Saturday afternoon that an unexploded piece of ammunition believed to date from the Second World War had been found on the scorched heathland.

A bomb disposal unit would be attending, the force added, with the public warned to expect a loud bang.

In the first 10 days of August, DWFRS said it had attended 180 wildfires.

In the same period last year it was 34.

Image: Firefighters were called on Friday lunchtime

Image: Heavy smoke rising from the scene on Studland Heath

Staff have "never had a year like this one - it is just unprecedented", the spokeswoman said.

Temperatures could reach 35C this weekend.

An amber heat warning has been issued by the Met Office.

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2022-08-13 17:37:30Z
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Body found in search for man who got into trouble in Doncaster lake - Sky News

A body has been found in the search for a man who got into trouble in a lake in Doncaster, the police have said.

The emergency services attended the scene at Lakeside Lake on Saturday afternoon after receiving calls that the man, who was in his 20s, had got into difficulty, South Yorkshire Police said.

The force said: "We are very sorry to report that following earlier information about an incident at Lakeside, Doncaster, a body has now been found."

Formal identification is yet to take place, but the man's family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

A police plane had been sighted circling the lake for 20 minutes after the initial reports.

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Specialist teams were involved in the search for the man and South Yorkshire Police had asked the public to avoid the area.

More than 20 people have lost their lives after getting into difficulty in water during the extreme heat this summer.

Temperatures exceeded 30C in many parts of England on Saturday.

Read more:
Campaign launches to prevent drowning in UK

IF YOU SEE SOMEONE STRUGGLING IN THE WATER:

Call 999 - ask for Fire & Rescue if inland or the Coastguard if by the sea

Tell the struggling person to try to float on their back

Throw them something that floats - anything, even a football

IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING IN THE WATER:

Try to lay on your back

Stick your arms and legs out to enable better floating

Once you have calmed down and got your bearings, shout for help

In the UK, most deaths by drowning occur in the three summer months, with July being the worst.

Last month Brian Sasu, 14, drowned off Tagg's Island near Hampton Court in southwest London after taking a dip to cool off when his school closed early.

Robert Hattersley, 13, died in the River Tyne near Ovingham, Northumberland. His family were left "absolutely devastated".

Last year, 277 people died after drowning in the UK, up from 254 in 2020 and 233 in 2019.

A campaign to prevent drowning, called Respect The Water, has been launched.

The National Water Safety Forum, which is running the initiative, aims to halve by 2026 the number of people in the UK who accidentally die in the water each year.

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2022-08-13 21:56:15Z
1533140192

Shropshire's NHS health and care system declares critical incident - BBC

PA Media

A county's whole NHS health and care system has declared a critical incident due to "continued and unprecedented pressures" on services.

NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin said several issues were causing extended waiting times to access hospital beds.

Its hospitals were seeing "significant levels of Covid-19" alongside a high number of patients seeking help for other conditions, it said.

Some non-urgent operations would be postponed as a result, the group added.

"Our aim is to prioritise patients with the highest level of need and ensure that we continue to be able to manage emergency care," a spokesman for the integrated care system said.

However, anyone not contacted directly about an operation being postponed should attend their appointment as usual, he said.

"We regret that it has been necessary to take this step, but it is important that we focus on patients needing urgent and emergency care as a priority," he added.

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Services been hit by difficulties in discharging patients due to a "lack of capacity" across the care sector. Also, staff absences due to Covid have been causing a "significant strain" on the system, said health bosses.

The warning follows several critical incidents at hospitals in the county. In July, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust said it was working to manage exceptional pressures.

Ambulance services across the country have also reported being under intense pressure, with staff facing a record number of callouts.

The NHS in Shropshire said people could help in a number of ways, including only calling 999 or attending A&E departments for "serious accidents and genuine emergencies".

Patients were also asked to use urgent care centres at the Princess Royal Telford and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and four minor injury units.

People can also use its mental healthcare crisis helpline for urgent support and speak to pharmacists for advice on minor health concerns.

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk

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2022-08-13 15:14:23Z
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UK Heatwave: Official drought declared across large parts of England - BBC

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An official drought has been declared as low-water levels and tinder-dry conditions continue across the UK.

Eight parts of England, including Devon, Kent, East Anglia and Lincolnshire are affected.

The move is expected to trigger stricter controls on water use and five water companies have already announced restrictions, including hosepipe bans.

Millions are expected to be impacted but the Environment Agency said essential water supplies were safe.

John Curtin, director of operations, said the drought would go on for "a long time" and warned of possible restrictions on crop growing and further hosepipe bans.

It comes as the prolonged dry weather - combined with the current heatwave and July's record-breaking temperatures - have depleted rivers, reservoirs and aquifers.

Large swathes of England are bone-dry, with scenes of parched earth and grass turned yellow.

The conditions have prompted the Environment Agency to move eight of its 14 areas into drought status:

• Devon and Cornwall

• Solent and South Downs

• Kent and South London

• Hertfordshire and North London

• East Anglia

• Thames

• Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire

• East Midlands

Yorkshire and the West Midlands are also expected to move into a drought later in August.

The decision to declare a drought was taken after a meeting of the National Drought Group - made up of government and agency officials, water firms and groups including the National Farmers' Union.

Announcing a drought means government and water companies will put into action their plans to deal with it, with measures including hosepipe bans and taking more water than usual from rivers.

Members of the public and businesses in drought-affected areas are also being urged to use water wisely following the driest first seven months of the year since 1976.

Elsewhere, Wales Drought Liaison group is also looking at the effect of the dry weather.

• LIVE UPDATES: Drought to be declared
• Will there be a hosepipe ban in my area?
• Flames faster than you can run - firefighters on wildfires
• The science of drought explained in pictures

Five water companies - Welsh Water, Southern Water, Thames Water, South East Water and, most recently Yorkshire Water - have all announced hosepipe bans, while Yorkshire Water said on Friday that a ban would start on 26 August.

The latter firm, which has more than five million customers, says parts of the region have seen the lowest rainfall since records began more than 130 years ago.

It also said rivers and reservoirs in the region were running at 20% lower than expected for the time of year.

South East Water, whose ban came into force on Friday, is now asking people to observe restrictions on using hosepipes to water plants, wash the car and fill paddling pools - with rule-breakers facing fines of up to £1,000.

• What are water companies doing to tackle leaks?
• How the heatwave is changing landscapes
• The driest start to a year since 1976

Dominic Gardener, a farmer in West Sussex, said the dry weather was posing huge challenges for farmers.

"Everything is starting to struggle a bit - our grass is not growing at all - and livestock, we're having to feed them extra food," he said, adding crop yields had also been reduced by the dryness.

Farmers in parts of Fife are being temporarily banned from using water from the River Eden on their fields.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency says the measure will come into effect from midnight on Saturday to tackle critical water shortages.

A four-day amber warning for extreme heat from the Met Office is in place for many parts of England and Wales until Sunday.

Temperatures are forecast to be lower early next week, however, and the Met Office has issued yellow warnings for thunderstorms on Monday, covering most of England, Wales and Scotland.

And its fire severity index - which assesses how severe a blaze could become - is currently "very high" for most of England and Wales.

The situation facing firefighters across the UK has been described as "unprecedented", with increasing numbers of wildfires.

Fires have broken out across the nation, including in Leytonstone, east London, Studland Bay, Dorset, Creswell, in Derbyshire, The Dower House in Bristol, and Overton, near Basingstoke in Hampshire.

Police have evacuated about 50 homes in Creswell after a major incident was declared due to a field fire.

Fire crews are also tackling a large blaze which broke out at a Leicestershire recycling centre.

Meanwhile, homeless people struggling with the extreme heat in Bristol said it was "making us sick," and even sitting in the shade was "tiring and sweaty and uncomfortable".

Bristol Street Outreach Team, operated by charity St Mungo's, has been carrying out additional shifts and giving out water, advice and sun protection to those in need.

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UK temperatures have been rising day-on-day through the week. According to the Met Office, on Friday the highest temperatures were recorded in:

• Wiggonholt, West Sussex, at 34.5C
• Northolt, west London, and Hermonceux West End, East Sussex, at 34.2C
• Heathrow, west London, at 33.9C
• Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, at 33.8C
• Chivenor, Devon, at 33.7C.

Over the weekend temperatures could peak at 36C.

Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said there would be "increasingly warm nights" with temperatures not expected to drop below the low 20s in some places in the south.

Sir Keir Starmer has accused the government of failing to fully prepare the UK for drought, and also out at the response of water companies.

Water firms have been criticised over leaks, with about three billion litres of water lost each day in the UK - between 20% and 24% of the total water supply.

The Labour leader said the drought was "predictable" but "as usual we had no plan from the government".

Environment Secretary George Eustice said there was "no reason for people to be alarmed".

He told BBC News that the UK's water supply "remains resilient" and that "we're in a stronger position than ever" to withstand droughts, with progress made on leaks and infrastructure to move water between reservoirs.

Heatwaves are becoming more likely and more extreme because of human-induced climate change.

Research institute UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) said it would require "exceptional" rainfall over the next one to three months to bring river, reservoir and groundwater levels back up to normal.

It said analysis showed exceptionally low levels would probably continue until October in southern England and Wales.

But scientists have warned bouts of heavy rain after a prolonged period of hot weather can cause flash flooding.

Robert Thompson, a professor of Meteorology at the University of Reading, said "the ground has effectively become like urban concrete" and will not absorb water quickly enough to cope with longer showers.

The situation in the UK is being mirrored across Europe. Much of the continent is baking in record heat, exposing riverbeds and triggering restrictions on water use in many areas.

A drought has also hit Germany's Rhine River, where the water is already too low to allow some larger vessels through.

What is a hosepipe ban?

Restrictions on usage during hosepipe bans can vary between water providers but generally people are not allowed to use hosepipes or anything that connects to a hosepipe or an outside tap.During a ban, people cannot use a hosepipe to:

• water a garden or plants
• fill a paddling or swimming pool
• clean a car
• fill a pond
• clean walls or windows

But you can use other water sources, like using your mains water supply but with buckets or watering cans instead of hosepipes, or using stored rainwater from a water butt and there are some exceptions when a hosepipe can be used.

Anyone breaking the rules could face a fine of up to £1,000.

Read more here.

Have you been affected by the hot weather and restrictions? Please get in touch by emailing: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

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If you are reading this page and can't see the form you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.

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2022-08-12 20:49:46Z
1531224265

Drought declared across England as Yorkshire hosepipe ban announced - The Times

An official drought has been declared for large parts of England, the government said today, affecting at least 30 million people.

Parts of the southwest, southern, central and east of England are to be moved into drought status, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said.

It is likely to mean that millions more people will face restrictions on water use over the coming weeks and will put pressure on water companies to act.

The National Drought Group, which includes the National Farmers Union (NFU) and environmental groups, met this morning to discuss the prolonged dry conditions as parts of the southern half of England and eastern Wales endure a heatwave. Temperatures of up to 35C are forecast for this weekend.

The Environment Agency

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2022-08-12 15:30:00Z
1531224265