Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service records one of its busiest months ever
Crews handle record number of incidents as dry conditions persist
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service has faced a historic surge in demand during July 2026, responding to nearly 800 incidents driven by prolonged hot and dry weather conditions across the county.
July saw Fire Control receive 1,721 emergency calls, with firefighters attending 450 fires, 23 large outdoor fires, and approximately 50 road traffic collisions.
The number of incidents surpassed previous highs, including those recorded during the summer heatwave of 2022.
As the dry weather persists, Fire Control reported an additional 1,536 calls by 12th August, leading to 387 incidents attended, including around 260 fires.
Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson said:
"We have seen a significant increase in demand during this period of hot, dry weather, but our firefighters, Fire Control staff, and support teams have continued to provide an effective emergency response while maintaining cover across Northamptonshire.
The Service's response involved planning for high-demand incidents, swapping shifts, and volunteering for additional duties as needed.
July saw call volumes more than double those in May and June, with an average of 56 daily calls compared to the usual 22.
Despite the strain, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service continues collaborating with partners like the Local Resilience Forum, Environment Agency, and Anglian Water, alongside mutual aid arrangements with neighbouring services.
Watson reassured the public about maintained emergency readiness. She said:
"People should be reassured that we remain ready to respond. Even when multiple major incidents occur at the same time, we have robust plans and well-established arrangements in place to maintain protection for communities across Northamptonshire."
Safety recommendations include avoiding outdoor fires, ensuring barbecues are properly extinguished, disposing of smoking materials safely, and refraining from bonfires.
Watson added: "We remain ready to respond and committed to protecting the people of Northamptonshire. However, preventing fires is something we can all play a part in.''