The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) issued a public safety reminder on 20 May 2026, ahead of forecasts of warmer, drier weather over the bank holiday. The council said these conditions can lead to a rise in wildfires and increased risk around open water1.
NFCC National Resilience data shows that fire and rescue services in England and Wales had responded to 270 wildfires in 2026 as of 1 May1. In 2025, services in England and Wales had responded to 1,006 wildfires as of 11 November, above the 994 incidents recorded in all of 2022, which had previously been the worst year on record1. The NFCC said many wildfires are preventable and are often caused by everyday activities such as the use of disposable barbecues or carelessly discarded smoking materials1.
Fire data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, for the year ending December 2025, shows that fire and rescue services in England responded to an additional 40,000 incidents than the previous year. Much of this was driven by a 29% increase in fires, largely attributable to a rise in outdoor primary and secondary fires1.
On water, the NFCC cited Water Incident Database figures published by the National Water Safety Forum showing 193 confirmed accidental drowning fatalities in the UK in 2024, with May recording the highest number at 28 deaths. In 2024, 37% of people who drowned were running or walking and had no intention of entering the water1.
Phil Garrigan, chair of the NFCC, said:
"Wildfires can start quickly and spread fast, but small actions make a big difference. Avoid using disposable barbecues in parks or open countryside, take care not to drop cigarettes or leave glass behind, and follow local fire safety advice. If you see signs of fire, call 999 immediately."
Under the NFCC's Operational Guidance definition, used by English and Welsh fire and rescue services, a wildfire meets one or more of the following criteria1:
| Criterion | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Area involved | At least one hectare (10,000 square metres) |
| Sustained flame length | More than 1.5 metres |
| Resources committed | At least four fire and rescue service appliances or resources |
| Duration | Resources committed for at least six hours |
| Threat | Serious threat to life, environment, property and infrastructure |
The definition used in Scotland classifies wildfires as large, uncontrolled outdoor fires exceeding 1,000 square metres of burned area on appropriate land types1.
Why it matters for households
The reminder covers two risks that rise together in warm, dry weather. On fire, the NFCC advises avoiding disposable barbecues in open countryside, parks and moorland areas; not discarding cigarettes, matches or glass bottles, which can ignite dry vegetation; following local authority guidance on fire risks and restrictions; and reporting any signs of fire immediately by calling 999 and asking for the Fire and Rescue Service. It asks anyone who notices suspicious behaviour, or sees someone intentionally starting a fire, to contact the Police on 101 or report information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111.
On water, the NFCC advises people not to jump into water to cool off, to actively supervise children in and near water, and not to enter the water after drinking alcohol. It says cold water can be a shock even on warm days. For anyone who sees someone in trouble in the water, it sets out three steps: phone 999 to get help, tell the struggling person to float on their back, and throw them something that floats. Anyone in trouble themselves is advised to float to live by tilting their head back with ears submerged, relaxing to try to control their breathing, moving their hands to help stay afloat, and, once over the initial shock, calling for help or swimming to safety1.
The guidance sits alongside the site's pages on wildfires and grass fires, barbecues and wildfire risk in dry weather and how much water to drink in hot weather, within the heatwaves and drought section.
What happens next
No further dates have been announced. The NFCC said fire and rescue services are already dealing with a high number of incidents, and that taking care outdoors helps reduce the risk and ease that pressure1.
Wildfires and Grass Fires
