Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleKate Devlin & Millie CookeFriday 14 August 2026 22:54 BSTAndy Burnham pleads for public caution at scene of Stourbridge fireAndy Burnham has pledged additional military personnel and aerial firefighting support to help tackle devastating wildfires across Britain.The government has reaffirmed its commitment to Labour's 2050 net zero target, emphasising that extreme heatwaves show climate change is an immediate reality.A ban on disposable barbecues has come into force to prevent further blazes during unprecedented heat and drought conditions.Plans have been recommitted to construct nine new reservoirs and adapt public infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, for extreme temperatures.Recent wildfires in regions such as the West Midlands have destroyed homes, displaced residents, and resulted in dozens of hospitalisations.In fullBurnham: We will protect ‘tinderbox’ Britain from raging wildfiresMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in