A large-scale wildfire in north Wales has forced residents from their homes and triggered a major incident declaration, as firefighters across the UK battle blazes during a record-breaking heatwave. Emergency services are fighting the fire near Sychnant Pass on Conwy Mountain, with the village of Capelulo advised to “leave safely and follow the instructions of the emergency services on scene”. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said operations are “expected to continue for some time” in “challenging conditions”, while nearby communities have been told to keep windows and doors closed and seek medical advice if they experience breathing difficulties.
Service Delivery Manager Jami Jennings said: “Firefighters remain on scene working in challenging conditions to contain the fire and protect surrounding communities, property, infrastructure and the environment.” The service later confirmed everyone who needed to evacuate near Conwy Mountain had been contacted and supported.
“Major incident declared in Wales as wildfires force evacuations across UK during record heatwave.”
Meanwhile, more than 100 firefighters are tackling a railway embankment blaze in Walthamstow, east London. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said 25 fire engines and about 125 firefighters were called to the incident near Vallentin Road after receiving the first of over 100 calls at 6.27pm. The blaze is producing a “significant amount of smoke” and has affected a number of properties close to the railway line. Local MP Stella Creasy posted a video from the scene, saying: “Please avoid the Wood Street area. We need to be able to support the families who are being evacuated.”
Elsewhere, firefighters in Greater Manchester are working to contain a moorland fire near Dovestone Reservoir, with high winds meaning smoke “may travel significant distances”. In Camberley, Hampshire, crews remain at the scene of a heathland fire that broke out on Saturday afternoon and spread across about 10 hectares near the Surrey border. A wildfire as large as 14 football pitches hit fields near Durham University in County Durham. Wildfires also burned in Derbyshire, East Sussex, West Sussex, Devon and Somerset over the weekend, while on Tintwistle Moor in Derbyshire a fire has been burning since 24 June.
Natural England has warned that southern England and pockets of the south Midlands are at the highest wildfire risk over the next few days – a classification the Met Office’s Fire Severity Index describes as “exceptional”. Most of the rest of England and Wales are at “very high” risk. The Met Office’s Grahame Madge said the hot and dry conditions create an “elevated risk” of wildfires spreading if “ignition” is provided, adding of further heatwaves: “You can’t rule it out.” Record-breaking heat has already made 2026 the first year to record 35°C on six separate days, and the first to see 35°C or higher in three calendar months. Amber and yellow heat health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency cover most of England until Wednesday night.
