Britain and France sweltered through another intense heatwave as UK temperatures hit 38.1C. The surge has deepened drought worries, strained services and raised fresh wildfire fears.

The UK recorded its hottest day of the year on Thursday, with temperatures reaching 38.1 degrees Celsius in west London, as an intense spell of hot weather continued across Europe. The Met Office said this was higher than this year’s previous peak of 38 C on June 28, though still below the UK’s August record of 38.5 C set in 2003.

Britain and France are both going through their fifth heat wave of the year, with temperatures in parts of France nearing 41 C. The heat has also deepened concerns over drought, pressure on water supplies and the risk of wildfires, while also exposing how poorly prepared both countries are for such extreme conditions.

The latest heat has meant that Britain has now recorded a record four days in 2026 with temperatures of 36 C or higher. It has also equalled 2022 with two days reaching 38 C. In France, temperatures climbed across several areas, from Aquitaine in the southwest to the Rhone river valley in the east, according to the national weather service. Forecasters said the most intense heat was expected to move eastward away from Britain and France on Friday before easing over the weekend.

This summer has also highlighted the lack of preparedness in both countries, where air conditioning remains uncommon outside shops and offices. In Britain, the Royal College of Nursing said nurses had collapsed from heat exhaustion while working in hospitals, many of them in ageing buildings without adequate cooling. “When nursing staff are collapsing, feeling dizzy, sick or even being admitted to the very hospitals they work in because their workplaces cannot handle the heat, it shows just how badly they are being failed,” said Nicola Ranger, the college’s chief executive and general secretary.

Britain and France are also facing widespread drought, with crops shrivelling and rivers running low, adding to pressure on water resources for homes, farming and the environment. Southern Water, which manages supplies in the south of England, has applied for a rare drought order that would stop businesses from non-essential water use, including car cleaning and filling non-domestic swimming pools. The company said an “exceptional” lack of rain was threatening supplies. Environment Secretary Angela Eagle will decide on the application, which would be the first such ban since May 2006.

As temperatures soared, many people headed to beaches and outdoor pools or looked for other ways to cool down. In Bordeaux in southwestern France, children and adults gathered at the city’s “water mirror”, where some played in fountains, splashed water on their faces and filled their bottles. Birds were also seen drinking there.

With the ground dry and no meaningful rain in sight, authorities in both countries remained on high alert for wildfires. In Britain, firefighters have been trying to contain a wildfire in the New Forest in southern England. Data from the National Fire Chiefs Council showed that 1,017 wildfires have been recorded in England and Wales this year, matching last year’s record total. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would consider a ban on disposable barbecues because of the continued heat and fire risk. “I do believe we need to get the message out loud and clear,” he said. “People should not be using those barbecues outside at this moment in time.”

French firefighters were also back in action after a difficult summer and have threatened to go on strike to demand more staff and resources to deal with increasingly extreme weather events. One fire broke out late on Wednesday in the northern Pas-de-Calais region and another in Brittany, away from the hotter and drier southern areas that are usually more vulnerable. Last month, a historic fire near Bordeaux destroyed forests and forced a quarter of a million people to leave their homes.

Thursday’s heat underlined the scale of the summer weather crisis in Britain and France, with record temperatures, drought, pressure on services and fresh wildfire threats all adding to the strain as authorities wait for conditions to ease over the weekend.

With PTI Inputs