Market town in the West Midlands, once center of British glassmaking
Firefighters are tackling extensive grass fires across the West Midlands amid a record heatwave. Homes have been damaged and residents evacuated as crews declare major incidents in Stourbridge, Stratford-upon-Avon and surrounding areas. Emergency services warn people to stay indoors and close windows.
France, Germany and neighboring countries continue to battle unprecedented wildfires driven by record heat. In Landes, Luglon residents have evacuated as 500 firefighters work to contain the blaze; elsewhere, Germany’s Hurtgen forest and English towns face fire threats amid record temperatures. Authorities warn the season reflects climate change and is escalating emergency responses.
Britain is facing a spate of wildfires amid drought and heat, prompting a temporary nationwide ban on disposable barbecues. Prime Minister says the move aims to curb fires and protect homes as authorities deploy firefighting planes and consider further emergency support.
Millions of phones warn of very high wildfire risk across England and Wales. The alert urges people to avoid actions that can spark fires, with the government deploying military support and banning disposable barbecues as firefighters battle dozens of blazes.
The government has announced new measures to help farmers manage drought, including a £65m fund for on-farm reservoirs and a raised Sustainable Farming Incentive budget. The move aims to ease water shortages, support livestock feeding, and back environmental work as hot, dry conditions persist.
An emergency wildfire alert has been sent across England and Wales warning people not to light fires as heatwaves press on. Police and fire services say the alert is crucial for safety, while critics argue about its timing and impact on daily life. Prime Minister and local leaders urge caution and resilience as blazes stretch resources.
UK fire services report a continued surge in wildfires amid prolonged heatwaves drought and water restrictions. The Stourbridge blaze has destroyed 19 homes and damaged 18 others while conditions persist across the country with major incidents declared in several regions.
Europe faces a sweeping heatwave with multiple wildfires across Belgium, Greece, France and Spain. Authorities report evacuations, firefighting efforts and evolving fronts near borders, with rainfall providing limited relief. Investigations into arson and unexplained flare-ups feature in some reports.
England endures a fourth heatwave this summer, with drought conditions expanding across the country. Hosepipe bans are in place or expanding, reservoirs remain low, and experts warn that only sustained rainfall will ease the strain on water resources and wildlife.
Meteorological services have confirmed that summer 2026 has recorded the highest mean temperatures on record across the UK and much of western Europe, driven by five widespread heatwaves, prolonged drought and repeated 30°C+ days. Health services, farmers and transport networks have been disrupted and provisional estimates link thousands of excess deaths to the heat.
Fire crews have battled blazes in Stourbridge on 13 August, destroying 19 homes and scorching over 500 acres. Investigations show both fires started accidentally in fields where agricultural machinery was in use. The West Midlands Fire Service says no deliberate ignition has been found, and responders are thanking communities for support as investigations continue.
Britain faces a hot, drought-scorched summer that has broken multiple temperature records. Officials say human-caused climate change has made such extremes far more likely, with authorities warning of ongoing impacts across health, agriculture and public services.
A series of wildfires across the Cairngorms has prompted renewed questions about preparedness, insurer risk, and climate resilience as autumn floods loom. Fire crews faced weeks of operation with evacuations and dry conditions highlighting longer-term risks and response gaps.
A group of cancer patients and survivors are turning to AI and technology to manage treatment, track symptoms, and fundraise. Stories span colon cancer under 50, breast cancer with brain tumors, uterus cancer, and chemotherapy's real-life impact, highlighting personal strategies and community support.
Three BBC investigations have revealed repeated failures in UK cancer care: a final review has found harm from misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment by former Belfast neurologist Michael Watt; Coventry patients were prescribed temozolomide for years with little evidence of benefit; and England is missing cancer-treatment targets, with only 69.9% starting within 62 days. Officials and families are demanding answers.
Two fires in the West Midlands destroy homes on an August day, leaving families homeless. Residents recount loss, while others step in with shelter, clothes and devices; rebuilding will take years as authorities assess damage and plan temporary housing.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has cancelled engagements following the death of his father, Roy Burnham, who had Alzheimer’s. He has thanked political leaders for condolences and says his drive to reform England’s social-care system is rooted in his father’s experience. He is continuing to govern while navigating the personal loss.
The government has announced a national wildfire resilience push, drafting RAF aircraft to help firefighting efforts, restoring peatlands as natural firebreaks, funding PPE for crews, and launching an AI unit to speed detection and response. The plan follows a record 2026 wildfire season and heat waves across Europe.