What is causing the summer wildfires in the South?

Firefighters also cite the 30-30-30 rule when it comes to conditions that can cause wildfires.

The figures refer to the measurement of wind speed, temperature, and relative humidity (RH).

So if the wind speed is greater than 30km/h (19mph), the temperature more than 30C (86F), and the RH less than 30%, then any wildfire, depending upon the fuel, will demonstrate extreme fire behaviour and intensity.

Climate change is also the spectre at the feast. The government says it is “making our summers hotter and drier – ideal conditions for fire”.

“When landscapes experience several consecutive days of dry weather and little or no rain, plants and soils lose moisture faster than they can recover,” it adds.

“Vegetation becomes a more available fuel source, making it much easier for fires to spread.”

An NFCC spokesperson tells the BBC: “While wildfire activity this year has not reached the exceptional levels seen in 2025, it remains significantly higher than in many recent years.”