General · 18 August 2026

Downing Street urges keeping phone alerts on after wildfire warning

Downing Street has advised against disabling emergency alerts, despite a fire chief's Friday assertion that the wildfire warning was "not appropriate." Nick Ross, chairman of the National Fire Chiefs Council board of trustees, disclosed he almost crashed his car when the alert activated. No 10 defended the system's use, saying fire services requested it due to 43 wildfires and 11 major incidents.

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