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Britain is preparing for extreme temperatures during another heat wave and in the coming weeks millions of people will be affected by a ban on watering with hoses, reported DPA in partnership with the news agency PI.

The British Met Office has issued a four-day extreme heat warning for parts of England and Wales from Thursday to Sunday, with temperatures expected to reach 35 or even 36 degrees Celsius in some places.

Britain's Health Safety Agency has extended a level three heat warning covering southern and central England from midday yesterday until 11pm on Sunday, with experts advising people to take care for the elderly and people with pre-existing diseases, as well as for young children.

Amid these warnings, 10 fire engines and around 70 firefighters battled a grass fire at an M25 junction in Enfield, north London.

The London Fire Brigade said around five hectares of grass and brush had been set on fire.

Footage shared on social media showed flames and thick black smoke at the side of the highway, where two lanes were closed and traffic jams were forming as firefighters battled the blaze.

Another huge fire broke out in Rushmere Heath, near Ipswich.

The British Met Office has warned of extreme heat in parts of England and Wales

Climate change is making heatwaves more intense, frequent and likely, with last month's record temperatures at least 10 times more likely due to global warming and "virtually impossible" without it, research shows.

Scientists also warn that droughts are becoming more likely due to climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels and other human activities.

Thames Water, which supplies water to 15 million customers in London and the Thames Valley, has become the latest water company to signal it will ban the use of hoses during the hot, dry summer.

The water company said: "Given the long-term forecast for dry weather and another forecast for very high temperatures to come this week, we plan to announce a temporary hose ban in the coming weeks."

The company urged customers to use only as much water as they need for their basic needs.

South East Water and Southern Water have already announced hose bans after southeast England saw 144 days of no or little rain this year, the driest first half of the year since 1976.

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