A wildfire tore across Tintwistle Moor in the Peak District on Thursday as the UK broke the June temperature record for the third time in two days — hitting a provisional 36.7C in Merryfield, Somerset. The blaze, sending smoke billowing across the moor, came just hours after the previous high of 36.4C was recorded in Yeovilton, itself beating the 36.1C set a day earlier in Gosford, Hampshire. Wales also sweltered, with Cardiff’s Bute Park reaching 35.6C — its hottest June day on record — while Scotland logged 31.2C in Threave. Forecasters warned that Friday could bring at least 38C.
As the mercury climbed, hundreds of schools shut their doors following Met Office red warnings for extreme heat. At least three hospitals declared critical incidents, and rail services were disrupted, with 11% of trains cancelled or delayed. South East Water imposed an immediate hosepipe ban in Kent, asking customers to adhere “immediately”. Even animals felt the strain: 40 sheep at a farm in Llannefydd, Wales, were relieved of their woolly coats on June 23, each shedding roughly 4kg of fleece. Video showed them jumping for joy after being sheared in the record-breaking heat.
“UK hits 36.7C, breaking June record thrice; wildfire in Peak District; sheep shorn of 4kg wool.”