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“We are heading towards a northern Mediterranean climate in the South East of England within the next decade and fires will be business as usual day in, day out,” said Matt Oakley, a fire investigations officer for Surrey Fire and Rescue.
“Our climate is changing, it’s changing beyond recognition,” he added. “What used to be a nine to 12-year cycle, is now every year.”
Mr Oakley is one of the UK’s national wildfire tactical advisers, a group of specialist officers who have been trained in methods used abroad.
Techniques such as “burn suppression” are expected to be employed in the UK to battle the increased risk summer heat poses to Britain.
The Met Office announced an amber hot weather alert this week, with temperatures expected to soar over the weekend in the South East.
Vulnerable should stay out of the heat
The UK Health Security Agency has issued advice to vulnerable people to stay out of the heat during the hottest parts of the day and remain in the shade whenever possible.
The Met Office has also put a yellow thunderstorm warning in place for Saturday and Sunday, saying some areas could see as much as 60ml of rain within an hour over the weekend.
Stephen Dixon, a Met Office spokesman, said: “We are expecting the hottest day of the year so far on Saturday, with temperatures expected to reach 30C.
“But that will be followed by hail, gusty winds, lightning and heavy rainfall in parts of England, with some areas seeing as much as 60ml of rainfall within a single hour.”
The thunder is expected to continue into Monday next week, but conditions are expected to settle after that.
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