Prime Minister Andy Burnham is chairing an emergency Cobra meeting on Wednesday as the UK faces another spell of extreme heat alongside worsening drought and wildfire risks.
The Met Office has forecast temperatures of around 37C across parts of southern and eastern England and the Midlands from Thursday, according to Reuters.
Britain is experiencing its fifth heatwave of 2026. Fire services have responded to 966 wildfires across England and Wales so far this year, including 185 during the first 10 days of August.
The prolonged dry conditions are also putting pressure on farms, wildlife and public water supplies. England and Wales provisionally recorded their driest July in 190 years.
Government figures cited by Reuters indicate around 45 million people are living in drought-affected areas, with about 27 million subject to restrictions on water use.
A Downing Street spokesperson said the government would continue taking action to protect communities, water supplies, farming and the environment.
The emergency meeting is expected to consider the response to the combined pressures of heat, drought and wildfires.