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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

Mo
18
25
Tu
18
21
We
12
19
Th
13
19
Fr
12
19
Sa
16
22
Su
15
22
Mo
14
22
Tu
15
23
We
15
23
Th
14
22
Fr
15
23
Sa
16
23
Su
13
21
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Manchester

Mo
17
24
Tu
15
17
We
12
16
Th
12
16
Fr
11
15
Sa
13
17
Su
11
17
Mo
12
19
Tu
14
18
We
12
18
Th
12
18
Fr
12
18
Sa
13
18
Su
10
17
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Birmingham

Mo
15
24
Tu
16
19
We
12
17
Th
12
17
Fr
11
16
Sa
14
19
Su
12
18
Mo
12
22
Tu
13
20
We
13
20
Th
10
20
Fr
11
20
Sa
13
21
Su
8
19
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Edinburgh

Mo
13
21
Tu
13
17
We
11
15
Th
11
15
Fr
11
16
Sa
12
16
Su
11
17
Mo
12
18
Tu
11
16
We
9
16
Th
12
18
Fr
11
17
Sa
12
18
Su
10
16
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Cardiff

Mo
18
23
Tu
16
19
We
12
18
Th
13
17
Fr
11
18
Sa
16
19
Su
12
18
Mo
15
20
Tu
15
20
We
15
20
Th
14
19
Fr
13
20
Sa
14
19
Su
12
17
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless
Ryan Hathaway
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