The worst British wildfires in 30 years follow a record-breaking warm and dry 2011 April
Top Record Temperatures
Last month was the warmest April in the UK since records began in 1910. Provisional figures recently released by the Met Office indicate that many parts of the UK saw temperatures 3 to 5 degrees centigrade higher than it is normal for April. 2007 had already seen the warmest April since records began, so this sets a new and higher milestone only four years after the previous top record. In England, where official figures date back to 1659, April 2011 became the warmest April in 350 years.
The same month saw unusually low amounts of rainfall, with the average national rainfall at 36.7mm –approximately half of the normal amount of rainfall for the month. This has prompted various water suppliers companies throughout the country, such as Wales Water, to issue precautionary warnings asking customers to use water sparingly. During Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons on 4 May, the PM was informed that farmers in the South of England were ‘genuinely concerned’ about shortages of water and possible drought.
The heat wave has been caused by the persistence of a series of high pressure systems over the east of the British Isles. These weather systems have brought warm, dry air from the continent as well as from North African and the Saharan regions. The high pressure has kept away cooler winds that normally come at this time of the year from the Atlantic, bringing moisture and bands of rain over the UK. Whilst it is impossible to attribute any particular weather event directly and unequivocally to Global Warming, an increase in extreme weather patterns and weather events are regarded as a possible sign of Climate Change.
Wildfire Havoc
The unusually warm and dry weather has seen some of the worst wildfires seen in the UK in the last 30 years. Blazes have burned continuously for several days in areas of Wales, the Scottish Highlands, Berkshire, Lancashire and Yorkshire. David Cameron has praised the efforts of fire crews up and down the country battling the blazes and has promised funds towards the countrywide fire fighting operation. In Ireland fire crews have had to deal with more than 1,000 gorse and forest fires over the last 5 days.
Whilst the police are investigating a number of individuals on suspicion of possible arson, many of the blazes are likely to have been initiated unpremeditatedly by the increasing use of Chinese lanterns at wedding ceremonies, country pick nicks and other celebratory events. Fire fighters have asked the public to be aware that Chinese lanterns must be used carefully as their embers can continue glowing for extended periods even after the flame has gone out. Abandoned pieces glass lying on the ground are also known to be the causes of fires when exposed to long spells of warm, dry and sunny weather, as dry leaves are highly flammable.
Whilst dozens of fire fighter crews continue to battle the flames through beatings and dropping water from helicopters, only rainfall is likely to completely quench the advancing blazes. However, showers are of limited help. Only sustained rain will have a lasting effect, as the longevity of the fires means that hot spots buried one meter deep in the undergrowth threaten to reignite the fires that have been put out. Whilst temperatures are expected to hit 26°C over the weekend, it is hoped that forecast thunderstorms offer the fire crews much needed help over the next few days.
