Temperatures are likely to hit around 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) from ​Thursday across southern and eastern England and ​parts of the Midlands, the country’s meteorological office ⁠warned on Tuesday.

Fire chiefs say they have responded to ​966 wildfires across England and Wales this year, including ​185 in the first 10 days of August alone, while the farming industry has warned of a hit to production.

“We will ​continue to take the action needed to keep communities ​safe, protect water supplies, support farming communities and safeguard the environment,” ‌a ⁠Downing Street spokesperson said.

Most of Britain is experiencing a flash drought caused by a combination of very low rainfall and higher temperatures. England and Wales recorded their driest July in 190 years, ​the Met Office ​said.

Around 45 million people ⁠in the country are living in a drought-hit area and 27 million people are ​facing restrictions on their water use, according ​to government ⁠figures.

An estimated 2,877 people in Britain have died from heat-related causes this year, UK health authorities said last month.

Prolonged ⁠dry ​weather — which scientists say is exacerbated ​by climate change — has hit agriculture, public water supplies and wildlife.