Wildfires Loom in UK as Crops Endangered
Local Editor
In the United Kingdom, farmers will be on high-alert this weekend from the biggest heatwave in seven years threatening to set a wave of fires that could ruin crops.
Britain, in its sixth consecutive day of 30C+ temperatures, is endangered to wildfires that could ruin crops such as wheat and winter barley, said Karl Kitchen, the Met Office scientist with responsibility for wildfires.
As many as 760 people are thought to have died so far as a result of the heatwave and the death toll of swimmers drowning in Britain's dangerous open water hit at least 13.
Moreover, Met Office has elevated the wildfire warning system on Friday from yellow to amber, meaning any grassfire will be extremely difficult to contain, according to the British daily The Independent.
Grass and crops are particularly susceptible to fire and the risk posed by the prolonged hot, dry weather will accelerate this weekend as the wind picks up and humidity decreases.
Guy Gagen, chief arable advisor to the National Farmers Union (NFU) had said on this note, "This is the driest and warmest period since 2006 and means grass, instead of growing, will die off and spread the risk."
Source: News Agencies, edited by website team
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