Met Office raises risk of wildfire in the UK to ‘very high’ as heatwave continues

If you live in the UK, you'll know it is pretty hot right now and that doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon.

And it usually involves us moaning about the climate, whether that is because it's too cold or too hot.

In fact, as the temperatures continue to risk in the UK, the Met Office has raised the wildfire risk to 'very high' over much of England and parts of Wales.

The Met Office fire severity index shows how the current heatwave and a lack of rain is combining to create tinder-dry conditions.

This could pose a problem with roasting temperatures set to continue until at least the end of the week.

It is highly unusual for this risk to be issued so early in the summer. You'd usually expect it, if ever, towards the end of July and start of August.

That is because the rain we tend to have prior to the sunny June period produces lush vegetation for several weeks.

However, the landscape is unusually dry this year, meaning an increased chance of wildfires starting.

The obvious reason for the increased risk at such an early stage is climate change, with the UK Wildfire Tactical Advisor Craig Hope saying just that.

He told Sky News: "It is very early in the summer and last year when we had the fires in London, that was extreme, but that was a lot later in the year.

"How this year will build now is quite worrying."

An extreme wildfire warning already covers northeast Scotland, with firefighters called out on Saturday (10 June) to tackle a blaze that broke out near Inverness.

Villagers near the area had been asked to stay indoors and close all windows and doors to prevent smoke inhalation.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said at its worse, six fire engines and specialist resources were sent out to tackle the blaze.