July 2026 one of busiest months on record for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service has experienced one of the busiest months in its history during July 2026, with exceptionally high demand continuing into August as prolonged hot and dry weather drove a significant increase in incidents across the county.

During July, Fire Control received 1,721 emergency calls, resulting in firefighters attending nearly 800 incidents. These included around 450 fires, 23 large outdoor fires and approximately 50 road traffic collisions. The number of incidents attended exceeded those recorded during previous Julys, including the 2022 summer heatwave, when crews attended 743 incidents.

The sustained dry weather has continued to place pressure on the Service. By August 12, Fire Control had received a further 1,536 calls, with firefighters attending 387 incidents, including around 260 fire-related mobilisations. Incidents attended have included railway embankment fires, barn fires, commercial property fires, a light aircraft incident and numerous outdoor fires linked to the prolonged dry conditions.

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.

“These figures demonstrate both the exceptional level of demand and the dedication of our staff, who continue to answer calls, mobilise resources effectively and protect our communities.”

July’s 1,721 emergency calls represented the second-highest monthly call volume recorded by the Fire Service, surpassed only by August 2022 during the last major national heatwave. Call volumes were more than double those recorded in both May and June this year.

During the month, Fire Control handled an average of 56 emergency calls each day, compared with a typical daily average of 22. The increased demand also saw average call connection times rise from around seven seconds to 14 seconds during the busiest periods.

Nikki said: “Periods like this inevitably place additional pressure on resources, but planning for high-demand incidents is part of what we do. We constantly assess risk and deploy resources to ensure communities remain protected.

“I am incredibly proud of the way our people have responded. Across the Service, staff have shown tremendous flexibility, including swapping shifts, volunteering for additional duties and, where needed, cancelling rest days to support operations and help us maintain emergency cover for communities across Northamptonshire.”

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service continues to work closely with partners through the Local Resilience Forum, including the Environment Agency and Anglian Water, to monitor risks and maintain operational resilience during the ongoing dry weather. The Service also works routinely with neighbouring fire and rescue services through mutual aid arrangements, ensuring the nearest and most appropriate resources can be deployed when required.

Nikki added: “Mutual aid is a normal part of fire and rescue operations. We both provide support to neighbouring services and receive support when needed, ensuring the best possible response for local communities.

“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.”

As warm and dry conditions continue, the Service is urging residents to help reduce the risk of accidental fires. Many outdoor fires can start easily and spread quickly during periods of prolonged dry weather, placing communities, wildlife and property at risk.

Residents are encouraged to:

• Never light open fires in the countryside
• Only use barbecues in designated safe areas and ensure they are fully extinguished after use
• Never discard cigarettes on the ground and always dispose of smoking materials safely
• Take litter home and avoid leaving glass bottles or other reflective items outdoors
• Avoid bonfires wherever possible during dry conditions

Nikki concluded: “I want to thank all our staff for their professionalism, dedication and commitment during this particularly demanding period. Whether responding on the frontline, working in Fire Control, serving in our Prevention and Protection teams, or supporting operations behind the scenes, every role is helping keep our communities safe.

“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. By following some simple safety advice, residents can help reduce the risk of accidental fires and ensure our crews remain available for those who need us most.”