Millions of phones across England and Wales blared a sudden siren on Friday evening as the government unleashed its emergency alert system over ‘wildfire risk’. What followed was a wave of neighbour-on-neighbour reporting that left fire services and police inundated with non-emergency calls about barbecues in gardens and parks.
The same compliant instincts that flourished during COVID appear alive and well.
The alert, described by First Secretary of State Louise Haigh as “the most extensive use of the UK’s emergency alert system in response to an active incident,” warned of a “very high risk of wildfires nationally.”
It instructed residents, landowners and visitors not to undertake any activity that could start a fire, including disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators or fireworks. Even a small flame, it said, could rapidly develop into a major wildfire placing lives, homes, businesses and emergency responders at risk. People were told to report signs of fire immediately by calling 999.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the alert was triggered at the request of firefighters and urged the public to take it “seriously.” He has repeatedly described Britain as a “tinderbox right now” after a record stretch of extreme heat and multiple major incidents, including a West Midlands blaze that destroyed 19 homes across more than 500 acres.
Within hours, the practical result became clear. Fire and rescue services reported a high volume of 999 calls about neighbours using BBQs, lighting bonfires or campfires.
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