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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

We
18
33
Th
19
27
Fr
16
25
Sa
16
26
Su
16
28
Mo
20
30
Tu
18
26
We
18
26
Th
17
25
Fr
16
25
Sa
17
25
Su
16
24
Mo
17
25
Tu
16
26
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Manchester

We
16
24
Th
15
20
Fr
10
20
Sa
12
19
Su
9
24
Mo
17
26
Tu
15
23
We
13
21
Th
13
21
Fr
12
21
Sa
13
22
Su
14
22
Mo
14
22
Tu
14
22
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Birmingham

We
16
29
Th
16
23
Fr
10
22
Sa
10
23
Su
11
25
Mo
18
28
Tu
15
23
We
14
22
Th
13
21
Fr
13
23
Sa
14
24
Su
14
23
Mo
14
23
Tu
13
24
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Edinburgh

We
16
20
Th
11
18
Fr
9
16
Sa
10
19
Su
11
21
Mo
13
19
Tu
12
19
We
12
18
Th
11
19
Fr
11
19
Sa
12
20
Su
13
20
Mo
13
21
Tu
12
20
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Cardiff

We
15
25
Th
17
23
Fr
10
22
Sa
10
22
Su
13
25
Mo
15
25
Tu
16
24
We
15
23
Th
14
22
Fr
14
22
Sa
14
22
Su
15
22
Mo
15
23
Tu
15
23
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless
Ryan Hathaway
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