People across England and Wales have reacted after receiving an emergency alert on their phones after the prime minister warned the nation to remain vigilant against wildfires.Millions of people across England and Wales received an alert on Friday evening warning against lighting anything that could spark a wildfire, including barbecues, campfires, and fireworks, the Cabinet Office said.Alerts began flooding phones at 7pm which read: “Severe alert issued by the UK Government”.The emergency alert was issued with a high pitched sound at 7pm (Supplied)“There is a very high risk of wildfires nationally. Residents, landowners and visitors should not undertake any activity that could start a fire, including disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators or fireworks. Even a small flame can rapidly develop into a major wildfire placing lives, homes, businesses and emergency responders at risk.“Follow official updates and report signs of fire immediately by calling 999. Search gov.uk/alerts for more information.”Prime minister Andy Burnham urged people to “take the emergency alert seriously”, adding: “Our priority now is to keep everyone safe and prevent more fires from starting.”(AFP/Getty)Some social media users expressed their discontent at being alarmed on a Friday evening.One user said: “Nearly had a stroke. Was looking for the mushroom cloud rising above my house...I remember Threads.”Another said: “Calm down everyone… we now have an MP for Fire…..we can breath easily. Andy will save us all!”“A bit of warning would have been nice”, another user said on Facebook. “I jumped out of my skin I thought the world was ending.”“I thought we were just about to be bombed,” another said.Some people complained that their text came through in Welsh despite them not being able to speak or read the language.One user said on X: “Had an emergency alert - totally understand them being bilingual but it was only in Welsh for myself and my mothers phone so if it was a real emergency that we had to act quickly over we’d be f***ed.”Another user on Facebook said: “Little tip. Dont just send it out in welsh if your in wales. We had no idea what was going on!!”Another social media user said: “Places not be when the national alert goes off #1……a packed train”.Restore leader Rupert Lowe appeared displeased with the alert as he told followers on X: “A nationwide alert telling us to not start a fire where the entire field could ignite. OBVIOUSLY. I hate the Government so very much.”Mr Burnham brought into force a temporary ban on disposable barbecues on Friday, after the grills were said to be the source of multiple wildfires which have broken out across the country.The prime minister said the ban – which applies to Wales, Scotland and England, but not Northern Ireland – would be in place “until further notice”, as he warned smokers against lighting up outdoors and urged them to dispose of cigarettes carefully.More wildfires have now struck England and Wales in 2026 so far than in the whole of 2025, with the latest spate of blazes in the West Midlands having led to people fleeing their homes to get out of the path of encroaching fires.