Firefighters say water supply problems hampered efforts against UK wildfires

Summary

Concerns are growing about how drought affects the UK's ability to cope with wildfires. MPs were told that firefighters struggled to get water during this year's record summer. In one summer fire that destroyed homes in Stourbridge, low water pressure meant filling a water carrier took 40 minutes. The government has been urged to set out water companies' statutory responsibilities during major fire incidents to improve the country's preparedness for the years ahead.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   21 Oct 2026, 04:00 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that MPs were told firefighters struggled for water supplies during this year's record summer, raising concerns about how drought affects the UK's wildfire response, and that filling a water carrier took 40 minutes during a fire that destroyed homes in Stourbridge due to low pressure.