24 h. ago Ten English fire services tackled record number of grass, forest and crop fires in 2025

Fire chief says summer, the UK’s hottest on record, was ‘one of the most challenging for wildfires that we’ve ever faced’Ten English fire services tackled a record number of grassland, woodland and crop fires during what was the UK’s hottest spring and summer on record, figures show.In total nearly 27,000 wildfires were dealt with by fire services in England during the prolonged dry weather of 2025, according to analysis by PA Media. Continue reading...

Events

29 h. ago Fire crew dealt with almost 27,000 wildfires this year amid summer heatwaves

Fire chiefs said that the escalating frequency and intensity of wildfires placed a significant strain on resources

Economics

29 h. ago Fire crews faced nearly 27,000 wildfires during warmest spring and summer

Fire chiefs said staff showed ‘exceptional bravery and professionalism in challenging conditions’.

Events

5 d. ago The Guardian view on adapting to the climate crisis: it demands political honesty about extreme weather | Editorial

Over the holiday period, the Guardian leader column is looking ahead at the themes of 2026. Today we look at how the struggle to adapt to a dangerously warming world has become a test of global justiceThe record-breaking 252mph winds of Hurricane Melissa that devastated Caribbean islands at the end of October were made five times more likely by the climate crisis. Scorching wildfire weather in Spain and Portugal during the summer was made 40 times more likely, while June’s heatwave in England was made 100 times more likely.Attribution science has made one thing clear: global heating is behind today’s extreme weather. That greenhouse gas emissions warmed the planet was understood. What can now be shown is that this warming produces record heatwaves and more violent storms with increasing frequency. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Forecasters say 2025 ‘more likely than not’ to be UK’s hottest year on record

Met Office says temperatures are tracking ahead of 2022 after year of heatwaves and drought, though late cold spell could yet interveneForecasters say 2025 is “more likely than not” to break the record for the hottest year in the UK since records began, after a summer of heatwaves and drought followed by a mild autumn.According to the Met Office, the official forecaster, the mean temperature for 2025 is tracking well ahead of the previous highest year, set in 2022. However, a colder spell expected from Christmas until the new year makes it too close to call definitively. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Long summer, Oasis and cost of living dominated 2025 sales trends – John Lewis

Four heatwaves led to record sales of swimwear as the traditional summer months waned, up 18% in September and 28% in October, the retailers said.

Economics

2 w. ago Popular department store reveals the shopping trends of 2025: From Oasis to summer heatwaves

The announcement of Oasis' 41-date reunion tour sparked a notable boom in fashion

Economics