Overview
- Firefighters have been battling multiple large upland and moorland blazes, with a moorland fire at Dovestone Reservoir first reported on Saturday evening July 11 and major incidents now declared in affected areas.
- Greater Manchester crews moved to offensive hose-line operations after establishing water supplies while North Wales teams made precautionary evacuations and tightened road closures as smoke drifted into towns.
- Greater Manchester Police have arrested a 20-year-old woman on suspicion of arson in connection with the Dovestone blaze and confirm the incident is a live investigation with officers asking witnesses to come forward.
- Widespread smoke has affected Greater Manchester, Merseyside and North Wales, public health advice urged residents to keep windows and doors closed, and dozens of people were temporarily moved from Capelulo in Conwy.
- National bodies warn the heatwave has created 'exceptional' fire risk, fire chiefs note most wildfires start from a human spark, and services say steep terrain, high winds and limited aerial assets mean containment could take several days.