The UK government sent an emergency alert to millions of phones across England and Wales, warning of a serious national wildfire risk and urging people to avoid activities that could start fires during a period of extreme heat.
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Millions of people across England and Wales received an emergency alert to their phones as the government warned against activities that could start fires during a period of extreme heat, according to the Guardian.
Deputy Prime Minister Louise Haigh said it was the most extensive use to date of the emergency alert system. Phones sounded a siren noise at about 7pm, carrying the warning that “there is a serious risk of wildfires nationally”.
The alert urged people not to light barbecues, campfires or anything else that could spark a fire, the Guardian reported.
The message was sent as extreme heat gripped England and Wales, raising the danger of fires spreading across the countryside.
The scale of the alert marks a notable expansion in how the government is using the emergency alert system to reach the public quickly during periods of heightened risk.
Why it matters
Emergency phone alerts are designed to reach large numbers of people quickly during moments of serious risk, and this was described as the most extensive use of the system to date. With extreme heat raising the danger of wildfires, the warning highlights how officials are turning to mass alerts to encourage precautionary behaviour.
Timeline
- Emergency alert warning of wildfire risk sent to phones in England and Wales
The Guardian World: People urged not to light barbecues, campfires or anything else that could spark fire during period of extreme heat Millions of people across England and Wales have received an emergency alert to their phones as the government warns against activities that could start fires. The