Surrey hit by bushfires as aerial footage shows miles of smoke

Incredible aerial footage captured by a drone has captured the extent of a bushfire in Surrey today as the county suffers from drought and water shortages.

Yesterday eight areas in southern and central England were officially declared a drought and several grasslands were set on fire after the driest summer in half a century.

Surrey also faced water shortages today as families were forced to queue for bottles after Thames Water ‘technical problems’ left taps running dry in hundreds of homes.

The astonishing video shows fire engines on the scene in the south of England before thick clouds of smoke are exposed for miles across the landscape.

The drone then zooms in on the many wildfires that are scorching the countryside as the grassland is ablaze.

The extent of the devastation caused by the fire is evident in the burnt remains of trees, shrubs and in the ash-strewn landscape.

The video shows just one of many wildfires sweeping across the country as a result of the unprecedented heat wave.

The With Office an orange heat warning has been issued for most of England and Wales as temperatures are set to soar to 34°C this weekend.

Parts of southern England had the driest July since records began and reservoir levels have fallen to their lowest level in 30 years.

The National Farmers Union also said ‘tinder-dry’ standing crops and parched grass pose a huge risk to fires spreading, as Britons were urged not to keep barbecues in case it starts to burn, amid warnings that fire brigades are already too be tough to cope with.

Seven water companies in England and Wales have already announced a hose ban or start dates for the restriction, affecting more than 30 million people.

Snake bans have already been announced for about 17 million people – and soon another 15 million could be added.

Heat-related illnesses such as sunburn and heat exhaustion are ‘probable’ among the general population, and public transport delays are ‘possible’.

It’s the UK’s first drought declared since 2018 – although it was quickly brought to an end by heavy rainfall – but despite the threat of torrential rain and thunderstorms on Monday, much of southern England is unlikely to last until September. will see significant rain.