Surrey is hit by forest fires as aerial footage shows smoke billowing for miles in county suffering from drought and Thames Water shortages
- Incredible footage captured by a drone shows the scale of forest fires in Surrey in the south of England
- Drought was officially declared in eight areas of southern and central England yesterday
- Surrey experienced water shortages today after ‘technical issues’ from Thames Water meant taps ran dry
- Parts of southern England experienced the driest July since records began as millions face a hosepipe ban
Incredible aerial footage provided by a drone captured the scale of a forest fire in Surrey today as the county suffers from drought and water shortages.
Drought was officially declared in eight areas of southern and central England yesterday, and several grasslands have caught alight in these zones following the driest summer in half a century.
Surrey also experienced water shortages today as families were forced to queue up for bottles after ‘technical issues’ from Thames Water caused taps to run dry in hundreds of homes.
The astonishing video shows fire engines at the scene in the south of England before exposing thick clouds of smoke billowing for miles across the landscape.
The drone then zooms in on the many forest fires scorching the countryside as the grassland is lit ablaze.
The scale of the devastation caused by the fire can clearly be seen in the torched remains of trees, bushes and in the ash-ridden landscape.
The video shows just one of many forest fires burning through the country as a result of the unprecedented heatwave.
The astonishing drone video shows fire engines at the scene in the south of England before exposing thick clouds of smoke billowing for miles across the landscape
Thick clouds of smoke can be seen billowing from the forest fires
The Met Office issued an amber heat warning covering most of England and Wales, as temperatures are set to reach up to 34C this weekend.
Parts of southern England had the driest July since records began and reservoir levels have fallen to their lowest levels in 30 years.
The National Farmers Union also said ‘tinder dry’ standing crops and parched grass posed a huge risk of fires spreading as Britons were urged not to have barbecues in case it starts blazes amid warnings that fire brigades are already too stretched to cope.
Seven water firms across England and Wales have already declared a hosepipe ban or start dates for the restriction, affecting more than 30 million people.
Hosepipe bans have already been announced for around 17 million people – and another 15 million could soon join them.
Heat-related illnesses including sunburn and heat exhaustion are ‘likely’ among the general population, and delays to public transport are ‘possible’.
It is the first drought declared in the UK since 2018 – although that one was rapidly brought to an end by heavy rain – but despite the threat of torrential downpours and thunderstorms on Monday, much of southern England is unlikely to see significant rain until September.
Where in the UK is there an official drought?
The Environment Agency has confirmed that eight of its 14 areas are officially experiencing drought.
These are:
- Devon and Cornwall
- Solent and South Downs
- Kent and South London
- Herts and North London
- East Anglia
- Thames
- Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire
- East Midlands
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