BBC News, Northamptonshire
A fire service has invested in new equipment and training amid concerns climate change could cause more wildfires.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has said weather patterns are leading to conditions that make the spread of wildfires more likely.
In the last week alone – as temperatures have topped 32C (89.6F) – firefighters in Northamptonshire have fought field fires in Corby and Wollaston.
Chris Spokes, from the police and fire joint operations team, described it as “a challenge”.
On Tuesday, the National Drought Group – made up of the Environment Agency (EA), government, Met Office, water companies and others – announced Northamptonshire had entered a status of prolonged dry weather – the category below drought.
The IPCC has said extreme, long-lasting heat draws more moisture out of soils and vegetation.
These dry conditions provide fuel for fires, which can spread at an incredible speed, particularly if winds are strong.
The Met Office has warned the UK is breaking heat and rainfall records increasingly frequently as its climate continues to warm.
Mr Spokes, a risk intelligence officer for the joint operations team, said: “We are dealing with more and more wildfire incidents due to the climate emergency.”
He told BBC Radio Northampton it had led to investment “in a lot more training for those type of incidents”.
He said the new gear included a response vehicle specifically for wildfires and equipment for flooding.
Mr Spokes said if firefighters were dealing with wildfires it diverted from them other incidents – and neighbouring fire services may have to step into help.
He added the service was “investing heavily to meet those challenges”.