More than half of England is officially in drought today after some places saw no rain for 43 days.The Environment Agency made the declaration just after midday for areas of central, eastern and southern England. The areas are East Anglia; Hertfordshire and the whole of London; Thames Valley; Hampshire and the Isle of Wight; Devon and Cornwall; the West Midlands and Wessex (covering Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, and south Gloucestershire).Britain is currently boiling in its fourth heatwave of the year, with temperatures set to reach 35C today and experts warning of 'exceptionally severe' wildfires. A plume of intense heat surging from North Africa is set to reach the UK today, after bringing exceptionally high temperatures to France and Spain and causing the worst wildfires in living memory.Amber heat-health alerts have also been issued for the East Midlands, the east, south-east and London as the mercury rises once again this summer.It has led to fears and warnings that wildfires could 'spread rapidly' with southern and eastern parts of England's already bone-dry landscapes particularly at risk. Helen Wakeham, director of water at the Environment Agency and chair of the National Drought Group, said: 'The hot and dry weather means we are currently using water faster than nature can replenish it.'A second consecutive summer drought is an exceptionally serious situation and one that will have long-lasting impacts on our environment, wildlife and the economy.' The Met Office assessment showed any fires could be 'exceptionally severe' by Wednesday if they start in parts of London, the South East and eastern England.Fire services in England and Wales have so far responded to 706 wildfires in 2026, with more than 200 recorded in the last two weeks, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said. Eight wildfires are currently burning and 'being monitored' across the UK, with fire chiefs warning that there remains an 'elevated risk' of more igniting. Grass in Blackheath, south-east London, has turned entirely brown Weeks of minimal rain and the second hottest month on record in the UK has left the fields severely parched The basin of Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire is visible, where water is receding due to the continued dry weatherThe Royal Horticultural Society garden in Wisley, Surrey, has been named as the driest place in the UK after going 43 days without any precipitation, turning the gardens to scorched dust.If rain continues to hold off for another two days, it will equal the national record of 45 days set in the summer of 1976. Water minister Emma Hardy said: 'Our climate is changing, droughts are becoming increasingly common, and we need to be prepared for this new normal.'We’re delivering long-term change in the water industry and driving record investments in infrastructure, including nine new reservoirs.'We expect water companies to follow their drought plans, to go further and faster to reduce leaks, and to ensure supplies are not disrupted even in the driest of weather.'Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters were continuing to 'make progress at the major wildfire incident at Tintwistle Moor' after 60 personnel were deployed on Tuesday.Wildfire numbers in England and Wales remain lower than the 788 recorded by the same point last year, but fire chiefs warned that continued dry spells could raise the risk of fires starting and spreading rapidly. Large-scale wildfires across mainland Europe have demonstrated the threat posed by the dry conditions, with large-scale evacuations carried out in areas of France and Italy.The NFCC said UK wildfires are typically smaller and different in nature to those seen in southern Europe, adding, however, that the 'long-term effects of climate change are increasing the likelihood of larger, more complex and more resource-intensive wildfire incidents occurring'.Phil Garrigan, chairman of the NFCC, said: 'More than 200 wildfires in just 12 days shows how quickly the risk can escalate when hot, dry conditions take hold.'The scenes we're seeing across parts of Europe are a stark reminder of what a changing climate means for fire and rescue services.'We are not seeing fires of that scale in the UK today, but the science tells us we should expect larger, more frequent and more complex wildfires in the future.'That's why we need continued investment in specialist wildfire capabilities, including aerial firefighting support, so we're prepared for the risks ahead.'But prevention remains our strongest defence. Most wildfires are avoidable, and we're asking everyone to take extra care during the hot weather to help keep their communities safe.'They called for Brits to be extra cautious with anything that could start a fire, including disposable barbecues and cigarettes. Photographs taken yesterday in Blaenavon in Wales, showed the landscape charred after a major wildfire.A blaze which broke out on Mynydd Garnclochdy between Blaenavon and Abersychan on Sunday, July 19, has now been burning for ten days.Firefighters are continuing to battle flames across more than 220 hectares.South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has been working around the clock in smoky and humid conditions, using specialist wildfire tactics and equipment to contain the flames.Portions of Mynydd Garnclochdy and its surrounding upland common land are designated and managed as part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), specifically linked to the broader Blorenge SSSI ecosystem recognized for its vital peatland and moorland habitats.At the height of the fire, shifting wind conditions carried smoke for miles across south Wales.Last week, residents reported the smell of burning vegetation from as far as 30 miles away in areas such as Caerphilly, Cardiff and Newport.A veil of smoke can be seen over the skyline of the World Heritage town. Up to an estimated 60 per cent of the common land used by local farmers to feed their livestock has been destroyed.On Saturday, firefighters were seen battling a field blaze in Cambridgeshire, which was sending huge clouds of thick smoke into the sky. Hatton Locks on the Grand Union Canal, in Warwickshire, where water levels have reduced and algae has grown through rising water temperatures Blackened hillsides show the devastating aftermath of the wildfire surrounding Blaenavon, Torfaen in Wales Firefighters in Blaenavon are continuing to battle flames across more than 220 hectares after it has burned for ten days Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire is surrounded by dry, brown, parched grass It is in stark contrast from just a few months ago in February when it was surrounded by flood water when the River Severn and River Avon burst their banks A jogger in London's Kensington Gardens this morning amid temperatures expecting to reach 35C A woman shields from the sun under an umbrella as she walks over Westminster Bridge today People gather on the brown grass at the very dry Primrose Hill as heatwaves continue Empty deckchairs on dry grass at Green Park in London A man and woman carry portable fans and bottles of water as they walk across Westminster Bridge in London today A man and woman shelter under a tree on the dry grass in London's Kensington Gardens todaySome 35 firefighters were needed to tackle the blaze, with Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade first on the scene at around 3.30pm on Saturday.There were fears the flames would blow over to houses and allotments across the fields.A Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government spokesperson said: 'We're investing nearly £100 million to help replace assets which can be used to tackle wildfires, including dedicated off-road vehicles which are suitable for England's landscape.'This includes rolling out a pilot to place highly trained firefighters who specialise in wildfire response in key locations across England, working with industry experts to ensure this approach is tailored to the unique wildfire risks here.'Fire chiefs said many wildfires are caused by everyday human activity, adding that 'disposing of cigarettes safely, avoiding the use of disposable barbecues in open spaces and taking litter home can significantly reduce the risk of fires starting'.As Britain continues to bake in the hot sun, images revealed the extent of the lack of rainfall in parks across the country.Brown grass could be seen across Blackheath in London and in many parks across the capital.Rivers and lakes have dried up, with the Swithland Reservoir in Leicestershire now at just 44 per cent of its capacity. The flash-in-the-pan heatwave is set to end on Thursday, with conditions cooling further into the weekend.July has been 3C above average across the UK, according to provisional Met Office data, potentially putting it among the hottest three or four months of July on record.Fire chiefs said people should report any signs of fire immediately by calling 999 and asking for the fire and rescue service. Swithland Reservoir in Leicestershire is currently at less than 44 per cent capacity according to Severn Trent Water Low water levels are seen at Howden Reservoir, Peak District, after sustained high temperatures and low rainfall Thick plumes of smoke formed over burning fields near Peakirk, Cambridgeshire Firefighters doused the burning vegetation with their hoses, stopping it from blowing towards houses Dry fairways and parched fields surround the Kendleshire golf course, south Gloucester The green square surrounded by parched, dry and yellow grass on the cricket field of Maidenhead & Bray CC during a game, in Bray, west of London A woman sunbathes on the scorched grass in Wimbledon Park over the weekend A large wildfire has burned in the Cairngorms national park in northern Scotland for two weeks This Environment Agency graphic shows how little rainfall there has been since mid-JuneThe Met Office has also said UK heatwave thresholds will need to be adjusted to account for the consistently high temperatures caused by the warming climate, after records have been broken consistently this year.Britain's wild animals have also struggled to adjust to the record-breaking heat, with hedgehogs and foxes being taken to animal rescue centres in their droves across the country as temperatures spiked.The RSPCA is urging gardeners to create shaded spaces for wildlife struggling to keep cool during the scorching weather as the fourth heatwave of the year looms.The animal welfare charity said two baby hedgehogs were found 'in distress' in a back garden in Somerset and brought into the nearby West Hatch Wildlife Centre, where they are being cared for along with 'several other recent admissions' due to the heat.Recent research from veterinary group Inspiring Vet Care found that in June this year its clinics treated 179 cases of suspected heatstroke – 66 per cent higher than the 108 cases treated in the same month two years prior.Some 316 hedgehogs were admitted to the RSPCA's four wildlife centres in June, a 56 per cent rise on the 202 admitted in the same month the previous year. Amy Ockelford, a senior press officer at the RSPCA, said wildlife centres are operating at 'maximum capacity' and are 'fit to bursting', and have seen an increase in admissions of hoglets and hedgehogs.She said: 'These animals are usually not out in the daytime, but they're coming out because they're struggling to find food and water, and ending up with heatstroke.'The RSPCA employee encouraged people to think about wildlife as well as pets, adding: 'Keep out clean, cool water for wildlife and try and create shaded areas where you can for them to avoid the direct sun.'Ms Ockelford advised people to contact the RSPCA when they see wildlife in distress.Meanwhile, Royal Parks staff have been advised not to leave deckchairs under trees over fears branches will fall during hot weather.In a statement, a spokesperson for the charity – which looks after green spaces including Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens – said it has introduced the measure as an 'additional precaution'.Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna said that heatwave thresholds for some counties rose by a degree four or five years ago.'Going forward they'll need to be adjusted to take into account… current climate, otherwise we're going to more frequently go into heatwaves. It's a moveable thing, really, as we go through a warming world,' he added.It comes as blazes have wrought destruction in mainland Europe this week, with 220,000 forced out of their homes in south-west France and 116,000 evacuated in Spain.In Bordeaux, an 'apocalyptic' fire has grown so large that it is generating its own thunderstorms, with 38C (100F) heat threatening to fan the flames of the terrifying blaze. Hedgehogs suffering from suspected heatstroke are being taken to animal rescue centres across the country The RSPCA said two baby hedgehogs were found 'in distress' in a back garden in Somerset French firefighters battle a wildfire spreading in Marcheprime, south-western France, July 26 2026 Smoke from a wildfire spreading on Cap Ferret peninsula is seen over a pine forest in Lege Cap-Ferret, south-western France, July 24 2026In what represents one of the most devastating events in the country since the Second World War, more than 240 properties have been completely destroyed – many thought to be holiday homes owned by millionaire Parisiennes.The inferno, which started on July 12 in forests on Cap Ferret, has been steadily approaching Bordeaux ever since, because of the strong winds which have been fanning the flames westwards.And the return of searing temperatures this week threatens to complicate firefighting efforts.Emmanuel Macron said on a visit to the wine-making capital: 'The coming weeks will be tough and we have to hold out.'