The agency said it was only the second time it had issued a red alert, after it was previously put in place in July 2022, and said it indicated a risk to everyone’s health.
The latest alert covers the East and West Midlands, South East, South West, London and the East of England and the agency said the heat could impact transport systems, food, water, energy supplies and businesses, as well as general health and social care.
Fox said the alert being put in place for Lincolnshire was “pretty unusual” and could be “hot enough to put people at risk of heatstroke and exhaustion”.
“This is something that we just need to be vigilant about,” he said.
“Do plan ahead, it does help to know when it’s going to be at its hottest.
“Look out for each other and make sure we keep as cool as we can.”