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Government Alert about Wildfires

(57 Posts)
TerriBull Fri 14-Aug-26 19:04:53

I've just had one, I nearly jumped out of my skin shock not a sound I usually associate with my phone.

Anyone else?

CV2020 Fri 14-Aug-26 20:35:07

Me too. Got a real fright. Then all the phones in the house went off too.

Erica23 Fri 14-Aug-26 20:32:19

Thank goodness I had the volume on my phone low I was listening to music through my hearing aids it was so loud I dropped my phone. I’ve turned the alerts off now.

Nandalot Fri 14-Aug-26 20:28:41

Here in Lincolnshire it went off, though strangely one phone proceeded the other by a second or two.
I know he probably didn’t have anything to do with the organisation of it, but I did think it was a bit reckless to have a fire pit at the Farage Fest. Not really need in this heat either!

GrannyGravy13 Fri 14-Aug-26 20:16:52

We were in a local restaurant all phones went off.

Which was strangely reassuring as the alert is the same sound if our burglar alarm is triggered.

Jaxjacky Fri 14-Aug-26 20:15:35

Excellent, it got people’s attention, that’s the point.

Pittcity Fri 14-Aug-26 20:14:55

Andy Burnham has said that the alert was sent at the request of the fire service. It was meant to give us a jolt into being careful with fire.

EkwaNimitee Fri 14-Aug-26 20:04:45

Got one in Carlisle. No idea what the emergency could be, a text would have been useful.

Plevey08 Fri 14-Aug-26 20:01:25

Yes that's a good point Casden...in preparation of fires. Horrible for you the smoke in your home.
I'm longing for a rain dance.

Squiffy Fri 14-Aug-26 20:00:41

I was in the garden and my phone was in the house, so initially thought it was a car alarm! It wasn’t until I was back indoors and it blared out again that I realised what it was. Frightened the life out of me!!

Rosie51 Fri 14-Aug-26 19:59:50

I got two, 4 minutes apart. The first could have caused an accident if I'd been driving as it startled me so much, I really don't think it needs to be so screeching and loud. When we were in Canada a few years ago we got several warnings of an approaching tornado. None were accompanied by this loud screech, not even the one that said "get to a place of safety NOW"
I'm pleased the alerts can go out, and I wouldn't want to block them, but unless it's an immediate life and death situation I think a less startling sound would be preferable.

dragonfly46 Fri 14-Aug-26 19:59:45

Shocked me too but maybe that was the idea! Anything that makes people more aware.

merlotgran Fri 14-Aug-26 19:58:04

Sorry. That was meant to go on Facebook!

Grannybags Fri 14-Aug-26 19:56:39

Yes I had one, near Bristol. Mine and DHs went off at the same time. Loud!!

merlotgran Fri 14-Aug-26 19:56:28

‘What’s burning. What’s burning?? 😂😂

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Fri 14-Aug-26 19:52:23

Yes, here in south Manchester. I too jumped out of my skin wondered what the heck it was!

Greyduster Fri 14-Aug-26 19:51:54

Got it here in South Yorkshire! What a (welcome) racket! Good point about driving!

MayBee70 Fri 14-Aug-26 19:51:45

I was driving once and a warning noise came on which resulted in me stopping the car. It turned out it was because I’d put a few heavy things on the passenger seat. I now plug in the seat belt to stop it happening.

Casdon Fri 14-Aug-26 19:48:31

Plevey08

A good point nanak...not good to hear when driving. TBH if I had known I'd have put it on silent. As I have no intention of lighting a barbecue or causing a fire. Hope the right people took note of it.

I think it’s as much to tell us to be prepared in case we face one due to the thoughtless or reckless behaviour of others? Having had wildfire smoke from one over 15 miles away through my house all day has made me think enough to gather an essentials bag just in case.

Anybody up for a rain dance?

merlotgran Fri 14-Aug-26 19:48:00

I thought the little pocket park in the next road along might be on fire. My first thoughts were, If it happened, would I throw a few things in a bag or just grab the car keys and go?

TheatreLover Fri 14-Aug-26 19:45:58

Received, central London, just after 7 pm. I find it reassuring that this system for a National alert works so well.

Aldom Fri 14-Aug-26 19:44:38

I h

Plevey08 Fri 14-Aug-26 19:41:30

A good point nanak...not good to hear when driving. TBH if I had known I'd have put it on silent. As I have no intention of lighting a barbecue or causing a fire. Hope the right people took note of it.

Fallingstar Fri 14-Aug-26 19:38:28

I was in the shower when mine went off so I shouted to my DH wondering what on earth the noise was and my DH said it was on the telly, bless him he does suffer cognitive impairment. My DD rang to ask if I got the alarm later so I knew what it was. My DH still insists it was on the telly 🥹

madeleine45 Fri 14-Aug-26 19:38:14

It was the first alert I have had on this phone, and once I realized what it was , was pleased to see that it works. I am in North Yorkshire and quite locally we have already had a fire on a combine yesterday. We all need to take care and be sensible obviously, but of course those that use their brains will think about not leaving glass outside or any thing that might trigger fires , but there will be those who just do not use any common sense, and I actually saw an idiot throw a cigarette out from a car window as he went by. With fools like that it is no surprise that there are high risks in our tinder dry countryside.

Hope the promise of a little cooler tomorrow works out and then perhaps we might be lucky with a shower or two

MayBee70 Fri 14-Aug-26 19:34:30

Somebody was walking through my village smoking a cigarette today. My partner said he thought about saying something but didn’t; I suppose it was difficult for a man to approach a woman but I would have said something. If I’d been driving when my phone went off I’m not sure how I would have reacted. Imo it should have happened days ago and disposable barbecues should have been banned sooner.