People across England and Wales will receive an Emergency Alert on their phones on 14 August 2026, sent on a rolling basis from approximately 19:00, the Cabinet Office announced. The alert warns people not to light anything that could spark a fire, including barbecues, campfires and fireworks, and urges recipients to report any fire immediately by calling 9991.
The measures follow a meeting of COBR chaired by the Prime Minister earlier that week, and a visit by the Prime Minister to Stourbridge to meet residents affected by wildfire damage and thank firefighters, emergency responders and local resilience partners1. The Government described the alert as the most extensive use of the UK's Emergency Alert system in response to an active incident1.
The package announced includes emergency funding for fire and rescue services facing the greatest operational pressures, military assistance in South Wales where around 100 personnel have been immediately deployed to support response and recovery efforts, and a further 100 members of the Armed Forces deploying that evening1. A temporary nationwide ban on the sale of disposable barbecues is also in place: retailers have been informed that disposable barbecues must be removed from sale immediately, and the measure will remain under review but stay in place while the heightened wildfire risk continues1.
The Government said it is calling on insurers to process claims as quickly as possible for affected households and businesses, and that the Bellwin Scheme remains available to help local authorities meet exceptional recovery costs in areas hardest hit by wildfire damage1. The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has written to local authorities across England reminding them of powers to restrict activities that could increase fire risk, including Public Spaces Protection Orders to limit barbecues, campfires and other forms of open fire in vulnerable areas1.
"This is the most extensive use of the UK's Emergency Alert system in response to an active incident, and reflects the seriousness with which the government is acting to safeguard people and property."
The Government also set out safety guidance, asking people not to light fires or open flames in the countryside or other open spaces, including parks, moorland and wooded areas; never to leave a household barbecue unattended and to ensure it is fully extinguished after use; to dispose of smoking materials carefully and never throw cigarette ends from vehicles; to take litter home, particularly glass bottles which can intensify sunlight and increase fire risk; and to call 999 immediately on seeing signs of a fire1. Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner said a number of firefighters were taken to hospital as a result of incidents the previous day1.
| Measure | Detail |
|---|---|
| Emergency Alert | Sent across England and Wales on a rolling basis from approximately 19:00 on 14 August 2026 |
| Disposable barbecues | Temporary nationwide ban on sale; retailers told to remove stock immediately |
| Military support | Around 100 personnel deployed in South Wales; a further 100 deploying that evening |
| Recovery costs | Bellwin Scheme available to local authorities in areas hardest hit |
| Fire service investment | £97 million for fire service training and specialist equipment |
Why it matters for households
The alert reaches phones across England and Wales from about 19:00, and its wording covers anything that could spark a fire, including barbecues, campfires and fireworks1. Disposable barbecues are affected immediately: retailers have been told to remove them from sale, and the ban stays while the heightened wildfire risk continues1. Households in areas hardest hit by fire damage fall under the Bellwin Scheme arrangements for local authority recovery costs, and the Government has asked insurers to process claims quickly1. The Government's stated safety guidance is set out above and is attributed to the Government1. How the COBR system and lead departments work is set out in the guide to how central government responds, and the heatwaves and drought hub covers related conditions.
What happens next
Ministers will convene a national wildfire summit later in 2026, bringing together fire chiefs, the National Fire Chiefs Council, the Fire Brigades Union and other partners to strengthen future preparedness and consider what additional capabilities may be required1. The disposable barbecue ban remains under review while the wildfire risk continues1. The Government said it is working with local authorities, emergency services and devolved administrations to monitor conditions and take further action where necessary1. Further detail on household preparedness is in the UK preparedness hub.
Central Government Response
