UK heatwave live: Met Office issues extreme heat warning as government convenes emergency Cobra meeting

Parts of country face fifth heatwave of the summer with highs of 38C forecast this week Firefighters have worked through the night and are continuing to tackle the heathland fire in the New Forest in Hampshire, the local authority said. The A31 that runs through the New Forest is closed in both directions, with road closures expected to remain in place for at least the next 48 hours while emergency services continue to respond to the fire. My thanks and gratitude to everyone working tirelessly to respond to this ongoing incident and keep our communities safe, as well as minimising the impact on our unique environment and wildlife. The emergency services are continuing to work hard on the ground, supported by council teams, Forestry England, the National Park Authority, National Highways, and many others. Continue reading...