Record...with 91F on the way
greater Dublin area. The heat is an example of “extra volatility” facing food producers, with some farmers seeing no recordable rainfall in a key month for their crops, the National Farmers’ Union said.
Council staff and social workers are making extra checks on the vulnerable and elderly in an “annual heatwave plan”, developed after more than 2,000 people died in England in 2003 because of extreme temperatures.
A heatwave health alert was issued by the Met Office for the South-west and South-east, lasting until 9pm today.
Izzi Seccombe, chairman of the Local Government Association’s community wellbeing board, said: “The hundreds of deaths caused by high temperatures each year are avoidable.
“Councils are determined to reduce the toll as much as possible, but they cannot do it alone.
“Local people can make a massive difference by helping us identify other residents who might need some advice or practical help.”
The heat has led to a heightened risk of wildfires, with firefighters continuing to battle several in the North-west, including a huge blaze on Saddleworth Moor.
Arsonists have reportedly been spotted by a police helicopter crew trying to light fires at a grassland called Healey Nab, four miles from Winter Hill, near Bolton, where firefighters are currently tackling a massive blaze.
A 22-year-old man from Bolton has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life in connection with this.
Tony Crook, of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said the arson sightings were “absolutely heartbreaking and unbelievable”.
Greater Manchester Police and fire brigade chiefs have warned people to stay away from the area and not to fly drones nearby, which could pose a serious risk to emergency helicopter pilots. Network Rail has extended speed restrictions on Britain’s overground system into a second week in an attempt to ease pressure on tracks which are buckling in the heat.
Track temperatures are expected to reach 118F in many areas and rails near Carlisle station buckled on Thursday after reaching 120F.
Network Rail’s extreme weather action teams have been put on alert across the country to monitor vulnerable locations.
Bookmaker Ladbrokes has odds of 4-6 on the UK seeing 95F during the week – and temperatures could even get close to the hottest day recorded at the Wimbledon Championships.
The current record for the tennis tournament, which started yesterday, is 96.3F, on July 1 2015.
But despite record-breaking temperatures elsewhere, council bosses decided not to open a lido in Gillingham, Kent, yesterday – because it was not hot enough.
Bob Dimond, Medway council’s head of sport, leisure, tourism and heritage, said the popular Strand pool, which was packed at the weekend, would be closed for cleaning, adding that temperatures were forecast to reach just 73F.
Peter Wright, 64, who is vice chairman of Friends of Strand Pool, said: “It is ridiculous. We are very frustrated and irritated.
“The forecast on the BBC is 75F. This is a fantastic 122-year-old lido. But is boiling hot and you can’t go for a swim. They really need to pull their finger out. It seems a lost opportunity for them. It also shuts at 5pm, when lots of people want to come after work or school.”