Overview
- A loud Emergency Alert was sent to millions of mobile phones across England and Wales on Friday evening warning people not to light barbecues, firepits or fireworks because of wildfire risk.
- Officials say the message was broadened from a planned regional warning after the Fire and Rescue Service urged wider action and Cabinet Office head Louise Haigh approved the national broadcast.
- Fire services reported dozens of active wildfires and multiple declared major incidents that stretched crews and prompted requests for military support as part of the operational justification.
- The alert prompted immediate disruption with panicked calls to 999, reports of motorists being startled and some users receiving duplicate messages including repeated Welsh-language notices.
- Opposition politicians and charities have demanded the government publish who signed off and the criteria used, while domestic-abuse groups want forewarning and safeguards for people who rely on secret second phones.