Mobile phones across southern England have sounded after the Government issued an emergency warning about the very high risk of wildfires.
The alert was delivered to devices at around 7pm on Friday 14 August, producing a loud siren-like noise and vibration even on phones set to silent.
People across Sussex, Hampshire and other parts of England and Wales are understood to have received the warning.
The message said there was a “very high risk of wildfires” and urged people not to light anything that could start a blaze, including barbecues, campfires and fireworks. Anyone discovering a fire should move to safety and call 999 immediately.
This was a genuine public-safety warning and not a test of the emergency alert system.
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service have reported a high number of calls following the Government’s emergency alert.
The services said their 999 control rooms had received calls from residents concerned about neighbours using barbecues, bonfires or campfires in their gardens.
They said on Facebook: “We have had a high volume of calls to our 999 control room this evening. We understand residents may be concerned, but we are unable to respond to reports of neighbours having BBQs, bonfires or campfires in their gardens unless there is an emergency.”
People are being reminded to call 999 only when there is an immediate risk to life or property.
The alert follows weeks of exceptionally hot and dry weather which have left grassland, heath, woodland and other open spaces vulnerable to fire.
A red wildfire-risk warning was recently issued in Arun, where people were asked to avoid barbecues, fire pits and all other open flames—including at home, on beaches and at campsites. Officials warned that a single spark could cause a fire to start and spread rapidly.
People are being advised to dispose of cigarettes safely, take litter home and avoid leaving glass bottles in the countryside. Members of the public should not attempt to tackle a wildfire themselves.
The warning was delivered through the Government’s Emergency Alerts system rather than as an ordinary text message. Compatible devices connected to mobile masts within the targeted area receive the message automatically, without the Government needing people’s telephone numbers or precise locations.
Emergency alerts are reserved for incidents where there may be a danger to life, including wildfires, severe flooding and extreme storms. Government guidance says recipients should stop what they are doing, read the message and follow its instructions.
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