This marks the first time a real emergency alert has been broadcast to residents in our area, following previous nationwide tests. The urgent notification was pushed to compatible mobile phones and tablets, triggering a distinct 10-second alarm and vibration, even on devices set to silent.

The Wildfire Warning

The official message delivered directly to residents' screens issued a stark warning:

"There is a very high risk of wildfires nationally".

To mitigate the danger, the government has strictly advised residents, landowners, and visitors against undertaking any activities that could inadvertently ignite a blaze. Specifically, the public is urged to completely avoid using:

  • Disposable barbecues

  • Firepits

  • Garden incinerators

  • Fireworks

The alert emphasised the rapid escalation of such incidents, noting that "even a small flame can rapidly develop into a major wildfire, placing lives, homes, businesses and emergency responders at risk".

Residents are instructed to remain vigilant, follow official updates, and immediately report any signs of fire by dialling 999.

What to Do During an Alert

For those who received the alert while driving or riding, government guidance explicitly states that you should not attempt to read or respond to the message while moving. It remains illegal to use a hand-held device while driving. Drivers are instead advised to find a safe and legal place to stop before checking the notification, or to tune into local live radio for emergency updates if stopping is not possible.

The Emergency Alerts system works by broadcasting to devices based on their current location, meaning the government does not need to know your phone number, and you do not need to have location services enabled to receive them.

Authorities have also issued a reminder regarding potential scams. The official Emergency Alerts service will never send emails or ask for personal details. Anyone receiving an email claiming to be related to the alert should treat it as a phishing attempt and report it immediately.

For more information on the alert system, residents can visit gov.uk/alerts.