Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) issued the warning on 9 July 2026, stating that the two counties face exceptionally difficult wildfire conditions over the weekend "due to the continued hot and dry weather"1. The service said it had seen a number of fires involving large areas of land, fields and heath since Wednesday 8 July1.
Group Manager Matthew Skyme said four significant field fires were attended across Dorset and Wiltshire on just one day that week, and that the current spell is the third heatwave of the year1. DWFRS said fires during increasingly dry spells can be extremely difficult to extinguish and have a lasting impact on the environment and wildlife around them1.
"With the third heatwave this year currently being experienced, I'm urging the public to take extra care to help avoid and prevent fires, especially during these challenging conditions."
The service's safety tips for the public cover several outdoor activities:
| Activity | DWFRS guidance1 |
|---|---|
| Barbecues and campfires | Avoid them, especially on heathland or in open spaces; if used, douse coals and fire pits with water and do not dispose of remnants until sure they are cold |
| Smoking | Extinguish smoking materials properly; do not throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows; take litter home |
| Bonfires at home | Do not have a bonfire at home during these high-risk conditions |
| Beaches | Do not set off flares, have campfires or light barbecues, as these can easily lead to gorse and foliage on cliffs catching fire |
| Reporting a fire | Get to a safe place and call 999 immediately; use What3Words to give an accurate location and as much detail as possible |
DWFRS also issued a checklist for farmers and agricultural workers, saying farm and field fires are a big risk at this time of year. Its guidance includes regularly cleaning dust and chaff from hot spots in combines and balers, switching off engines and ensuring moving parts have stopped before clearing blockages, stopping to investigate hot-running engines or bearings, keeping a system for contacting lone workers, keeping mobile phones on the person rather than in a tractor or pick-up cab, checking the locations and heights of power lines, keeping maintained fire extinguishers on all vehicles, cleaning dust from grain dryers and ensuring staff running them are trained, and keeping ladders and platforms in good condition1. The service said chaff and dust can build up in machines and catch fire if parts overheat, and that field fires are often caused when flint is caught and sparked1.
On suspicious behaviour, DWFRS advises calling 999 and asking for the Police, or reporting anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 5551111.
Why it matters for households
The warning covers residents of Dorset and Wiltshire and applies to the coming weekend, during the third heatwave of the year1. DWFRS has not issued any restriction or closure in its warning; its guidance is advisory and focuses on preventing fires from starting outdoors, at the beach and at home, and on reporting fires quickly with an accurate location1. The service's separate checklist is directed at farmers and agricultural workers rather than households generally1. The warning does not state how long the heightened conditions are expected to last beyond the weekend, and no forecast detail or fire severity rating has been reported1.
What happens next
No further steps, reviews or updates have been announced. DWFRS directs people to its outdoor safety pages at dwfire.org.uk/safety/safety-outdoors for further information1. Households wanting background on dry-weather risk can read the guide to wildfires and grass fires, the guide to protecting your home and garden from a wildfire, and what to do if you see or are near a wildfire; the heatwaves and drought household guide covers the wider picture, and barbecues and wildfire risk in dry weather sets out the outdoor fire issues the service refers to.
Wildfires and Grass Fires
Why UK Summers Are Hotter
Wildfire Home Protection
Barbecues and Wildfire Risk
What to Do Near a Wildfire
