The royal family are continuing work as usual, despite the unprecedented temperatures in the UK at the moment, with King Charles braving the weather and still sporting a full suit for Tuesday's engagement in York. Back in London, the monarch has been warned about a potential crisis on the doorstep of Buckingham Palace.
Wildfire mapping shows that there are hotspots in the parks surrounding the palace, which could be susceptible to outbreaks, as reported by The Standard. Map Impact, the organisation behind WildFire View mapping explains: "Wildfires represent a significant threat to communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure, particularly during the increasingly frequent dry spells in the United Kingdom." They add that there is an "increased susceptibility to wildfires from human ignition due to urban density". Often, discarded cigarette butts and barbecues are the cause of fires sparking in parkland.
© Alamy Stock PhotoThe Royal Parks Facebook page has issued a specific warning regarding the weather. "As we welcome everyone to the parks to enjoy the warmer weather this weekend, we want to offer a reminder around the increased risk of wildfires due to these higher temperatures and dry ground. Please remember that BBQs are not permitted in the parks, and make sure that cigarette ends are completely out and properly disposed of. Fires in the parks put people in danger, cause devastating harm to wildlife, damage to landscapes and habitats, and a strain on the emergency services.
© SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett"If you do spot a fire in the park then use what3words to give an exact location to London Fire Brigade. Visitors are also reminded to take litter home or place it in bins as glass bottles increase the risk of a fire. Finally, although you may be looking for ways to keep cool, swimming in any lake or waterbody within the Royal Parks is forbidden apart from in the Serpentine Lido at designated times."
Temperatures in sweltering London
© In Pictures via Getty ImagesThe Met Office has said that Tuesday's temperature broke records, writing on X: "It was another record-breaking day for the UK, with the all-time May maximum temperature record broken for the second consecutive day." This was a scorching 35.1°C, reported in Kew Gardens in the capital. Underground London commuters also suffered in the heat with 34.3°C recorded on the Central Line platform at Oxford Circus.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Andy Page has said: “The exceptional late-spring heat is set to continue for much of this week. We'll then see a gradual change later in the week, with temperatures easing slightly, though still above average, before a more marked change to near-normal temperatures by Sunday and an increased chance of showers and some longer spells of rain."
