General · 14 August 2026

Wildfire alert hits phones in England, Wales: What to do at 7pm

The government text warns the public against lighting fireworks, campfires, or barbecues because they might start a blaze. Officials are broadcasting these safety messages gradually to mobile devices across the two nations, starting at about 19:00. Anyone receiving the notification is also being asked to ring 999 straight away if they spot any flames.

By BriefTea Editorial · 14 August 2026 at 19:06

Reported by Sky News · How we write briefs

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What is 999 for? What is an emergency alert? What other alerts exist? Who pays for these alerts?

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