Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue attends 2,000 incidents in July
The Service says it's been an extraordinary Summer
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue says the Summer of 2026 was one to remember.
It says prolonged hot and dry conditions brought an increased risk of outdoor fires across the area, creating challenging conditions for communities and a sustained period of high demand.
The Service said: "While the whole Summer kept our crews busy, July stood out as an exceptional month.
"Our Control colleagues handled 6,041 calls, while we attended 864 fires – including 547 fires in the open. In total, we attended 2,008 incidents during the month.
"The pace of activity was relentless. From 8 July onwards, only two days fell outside the top 5% of days for fires attended, meaning that exceptionally high demand became the norm for much of the month."
A summer when wildfire was in the spotlight
The Service added: "Wildfires were not just a local story this summer. Fires across the country attracted significant national media attention, highlighting just how quickly hot, dry conditions can increase the risk of fires spreading.
"Here in Devon and Somerset, our teams worked throughout the summer to raise awareness of the risks and share simple steps people could take to help prevent fires from starting.
"Our ‘Stay with it this summer’ campaign encouraged people to take extra care when using BBQs, fire pits and having fires in their gardens – particularly reminding people not to become distracted when using a source of heat.
"We also saw the introduction of a nationwide ban on outdoor fires, communicated directly to the public through an emergency alert from the UK Government. Following the ban, we saw a reduction in wildfire activity, demonstrating the very real difference that changes in behaviour can make."