With temperatures forecast to reach up to 40°C, residents are being urged to avoid unnecessary risks and take simple steps to protect themselves and others.
Red warning for extreme heat has been issued for Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes this week, with temperatures expected to climb well above seasonal averages.
While this alert is in place, we are urging everyone to take simple steps to protect themselves in the heat by staying hydrated, keeping cool during the hottest hours, and checking in on those who may be more vulnerable.
We are also reminding residents, visitors, and businesses to take care around open water, barbecues and dry open spaces, as the combination of dry ground, high temperatures, and increased outdoor activity significantly increases the risk of accidental fires and water-related incidents.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Simon Tuffley said:
“ A Red Extreme Heat Warning is rare and should be taken seriously. We’re asking everyone to make safe choices over the coming days, particularly around open water, barbecues and dry open spaces. Small actions can have serious consequences in these conditions, but many incidents are entirely preventable if we all play our part.
Our crews will be ready to respond, but we’d much rather everyone enjoy the warm weather safely. By following the safety advice and avoiding unnecessary risks, we can help keep ourselves, our communities and our emergency responders safe – making a difference together.”
What the Red Warning Means
A red warning signals dangerous conditions where even small mistakes like an unattended barbecue, a spark from machinery, or a misjudged swim can escalate rapidly. We ask that you help your firefighters during this warm spell. They are ready to respond to emergencies, but we’re asking you to help us prevent incidents by doing your part too.
BBQ Safety
Warm weather usually increases the use of barbecues, but we are asking people to take simple precautions to help prevent avoidable incidents, such as;
- Keep barbecues off grass and away from fences, sheds, and trees. Dry vegetation catches quickly, this means avoid barbecuing in parks, fields or woodlands.
- Dispose of ashes from BBQs properly, they stay hot for hours.
- Think twice about where you light a cigarette and make sure to not leave any glass bottles or food packaging in direct sunlight.
Water Safety
Cooling off in open water can be tempting, but it’s also one of the biggest risks during heatwaves.
- Cold water shock can occur even in warm weather.
- Hidden hazards like strong currents, weeds or sudden drops are common in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs.
If you see someone struggling remind them of Float To Live:
- Resist the instinct to panic or swim hard
- Keep your airways clear and spread your arms and legs to help you stay afloat
- Try to control your breathing and remain calm
- Once your breathing is under control, call for help and try to move towards safety if possible
Farming Machinery
We are asking farmers to take extra precautions as harvest machinery and dry crops can create a ideal storm for accidental fires.
- Keep machinery clean; remove dust, chaff, and dry vegetation that can ignite on hot surfaces.
- Check for overheating; bearings, brakes, and engines can spark fires in dry fields.
- Avoid dry vegetation, don’t operate machinery near bonfires, burning waste, or tinder‑dry crops.
A single spark in a dry field can spread across acres in minutes.
Avoid Bonfires
- With conditions this dry, we are asking the public to avoid bonfires entirely this week, a single ember in dry grass can travel faster than you think.
If you must dispose of waste, use council facilities rather than burning.
For more Safety Advice, visit our safety hub page – www.bucksfire.gov.uk/safety-hub/ and follow our social media channels for more updates.