London Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned of the increasing number of wildfires occurring in London, calling for collective action to help tackle the growing threat.
Khan said he is determined to prepare the capital against the risks posed by the impact of climate change, wildfires, and extreme heat.
The London Fire Brigade has already responded to 64 wildfires this summer, far fewer than the 19 wildfires it dealt with in the summer of 2020.
Less rainfall and higher temperatures increase the risk for wildfires in London, with the risk currently classed as ‘severe’ by the Natural Hazards Partnership.
The growing threat of wildfires in London is evidenced by the consistently high demand on the London Fire Brigade since it experienced its busiest day since World War II on 19 July 2022 due to wildfire and extreme heat-related calls.
Khan called for all Londoners to be aware of the risks of wildfires and outlined new initiatives taken by the London Fire Brigade to combat wildfires.
These include using drones to spot and direct resources to wildfires, using specialised hoses that create a ‘curtain of water’, and deploying new off-road wildfire response vehicles.
The London Fire Brigade is also working with London boroughs to keep grass short and remove cuttings to reduce the risk of wildfires.
While wildfires can start naturally, most are triggered deliberately or accidentally by Londoners, and nearly 80 fires in locations such as open grassland, scrubland, woodland, parks and other green spaces were started deliberately since the beginning of June.
“The climate crisis is having a devastating impact on our environment with temperatures rising in London, across the UK and around the world,” Khan said.
“London continues to experience wildfires during the summer months, and I’m determined to do everything possible to ensure the capital is as prepared as possible for the impact of climate change, wildfires and extreme heat.”
“We’ve been working proactively with the London Fire Brigade and partners to ensure our city is ready to prevent and deal with wildfires,” he said.
“But everyone needs to do their bit. This means calling 999 if you see a wildfire, educating yourself on the risks and following key advice from the London Fire Brigade.”
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