Weather: Wildfires blaze through parts of Scotland

Devastating wildfires have ripped through parts of Scotland as the longest heatwave for seven years spread across Britain and forecasters warned temperatures could climb as high as 35C.
The warm weather is predicted to continue. Picture: PAThe warm weather is predicted to continue. Picture: PA
The warm weather is predicted to continue. Picture: PA

Mountain blazes tore across the south Wales’ valleys while flames devastated swathes of Tentsmuir Forest in north east Fife, Scotland, last night, and London experienced its worst grass fires since 2006.

The spate of hot weather is believed to have caused up to 760 premature deaths already and weathermen today warned that the hottest day of the year is yet to come.

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The mercury - which reached reached 32.2C (90F) on Wednesday - is expected to rise to around 33C next week. Weathermen said there was a “slim” chance it could even hit 35C in the South on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Paul Mott, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said temperatures would cool slightly tomorrow in many areas but could reach 28C in the Highlands.

“It looks likely that the heatwave will return in the early part of next week when temperatures will be back in the low 30s,” he said.

The weather is then expected to become more humid, bringing showers and thunderstorms in the West, between Monday and Wednesday, with the possibility that the mercury could rise to 35C.

“There is a slim chance that we could see temperatures much higher than we have done,” Mr Mott said.

But they are unlikely to top the high of 36.5C recorded in Surrey in July 2006.

The Met Office has warned of an “elevated risk” of fires in the countryside following six consecutive days of plus-30C temperatures and a dramatic reduction in the average monthly rainfall.

Crops due for imminent harvest are said to be particularly vulnerable to blazes.

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In London, firefighters have tackled 37 grass fires since Wednesday afternoon and this number is expected to rise in the coming days.

Dave Brown, of London Fire Brigade, said: “We’re attending the highest number of grass fires since 2006 but we are more than able to cope with every incident in London.

“Grass fires can cause a great deal of damage to open spaces and wildlife, and can be avoided by making sure that cigarettes and barbecues are extinguished properly, and that glass bottles are disposed of carefully.”

In 2006, there were more than 2,000 grass fires in London in July alone.

Officers were called to Mitcham Common yesterday when flames burned through grass and gorse in an area the size of four football pitches.