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    Home / Editor's Pick /

    Water restrictions active - Wildfires break out amid ongoing drought

12:30
14 July 2026

Water restrictions active
Wildfires break out amid ongoing drought

Smoke rising from a scorched moorland hillside after a wildfire, with blackened vegetation, smouldering ground, and drifting gray smoke covering the burned landscape.
Smoke rises from a moorland fire near Dovestone Reservoir in Saddleworth. - © picture alliance / Anadolu | Ioannis Alexopoulos

Wildfires are being tackled across the UK as the spell of dry, hot weather continues and drought builds.

Two major incidents have been declared, in North Wales and Derbyshire, with 19 separate active wildfires being tackled as of Tuesday amid ongoing drought.

While a wet winter helped fuel reservoir stocks, a summer with only 10 days of rain has seen levels deplete quickly, particularly in the south and east of England.

To cope with the rainfall deficit, restrictions on hosepipe usage are being introduced.

Water companies Anglian Water, Affinity Water, South East Water, Southern Water, and Cambridge Water have all brought in bans on use. Others, including some serving London, are currently advising customers to limit use.

Another record falls

During the infamous 1976 heatwave, 14 days saw temperatures pass 30°C. As of Sunday, 2026 has passed this with 15 days.

Meanwhile, hosepipe bans have already been issued across much of eastern Ireland with expectations of being expanded nationwide.

The current outlook shows only small showers and isolated thunderstorms, neither will help with the drought conditions as summer rolls on.

London

Fr
14
26
Sa
14
27
Su
16
30
Mo
19
27
Tu
17
28
We
18
29
Th
21
33
Fr
23
33
Sa
22
30
Su
19
27
Mo
18
26
Tu
16
25
We
16
24
Th
15
25
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Manchester

Fr
9
21
Sa
9
25
Su
13
21
Mo
14
21
Tu
12
28
We
17
30
Th
19
27
Fr
18
26
Sa
17
25
Su
15
23
Mo
14
22
Tu
14
21
We
12
20
Th
11
20
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Birmingham

Fr
9
22
Sa
11
26
Su
13
27
Mo
16
24
Tu
14
29
We
16
31
Th
18
29
Fr
18
29
Sa
17
26
Su
15
25
Mo
15
23
Tu
14
22
We
12
20
Th
12
22
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Edinburgh

Fr
12
19
Sa
12
20
Su
14
18
Mo
11
19
Tu
11
21
We
12
27
Th
17
23
Fr
17
22
Sa
15
20
Su
13
19
Mo
12
20
Tu
13
19
We
11
19
Th
10
18
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Cardiff

Fr
8
23
Sa
10
25
Su
13
25
Mo
15
25
Tu
16
29
We
18
32
Th
19
27
Fr
18
26
Sa
18
26
Su
16
24
Mo
16
23
Tu
15
22
We
13
21
Th
13
21
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless
Ryan Hathaway
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