This has subsequently seen an increase in fires across the region with grass and wild fires particularly rampant. Simon Tuhill, the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) at West Midlands Fire Service Said: "The last few weeks have been exceptionally challenging for West Midlands Fire Service, and indeed all of my colleagues from fire services across the country." The CFO commended the "professionalism, resilience and sheer hard work" of firefighter's and fire control teams in recent weeks. "The overwhelming majority of the public understand the risks and are supporting firefighters, offering cups of tea and water to firefighters." Dry weather is set to continue this week with an amber heat alert issued to parts of the West Midlands, at a high of 35 degrees on Thursday (August 13).