More wildfires in 48 hours than in all of last July

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy In the last 48 hours England and Wales have recorded at least two dozen wildfires, double the number recorded in all of July last year. Paul Hedley, the lead on wildfires for the National Fire Chiefs Council, toldThe Independent that by around 4pm on Monday fire and rescue services across England and Wales had recorded at least 24 fires since Sunday morning at 7 a.m. By comparison in July last year, 11 wildfires were recorded across both countries, he added. “It’s certainly a lot more thant we’ll be expecting to get on a daily basis.” Mr Hedley said the uptick in fires was linked to the extreme heat engulfing the country. Mr Hedley said the wildfires were spread across the two countries and weren’t concentrated in any particular area demonstrating that regardless of where the Met Office’s red alert warning was located the conditions for wildfires are supportive “everywhere basically.” So far he said no wildfire national tacitical advisors had been mobilised meaning forces appear to be coping or are relying on existing mutal aid with neighbouring services.