London Fire Brigade warns of wildfires started deliberately as London enters heatwave

Fireman hoses down scorched scrubland; photograph London Fire Brigade

Since June, nearly 80 fires in open grassland, scrubland, woodland, parks and other green spaces have been recorded as deliberate

As London expects its fourth heatwave of the summer, London Fire Brigade is urging everyone to behave responsibly to prevent wildfires in the capital. Wildfires are commonly caused by human behaviour, say the fire brigade, whether that be accidental or deliberate.

‘On one of the busiest evenings so far this summer (14 July), two wildfires in east London are both believed to have been started deliberately, including a fire on parkland in Dagenham which required around 125 firefighters to safely extinguish.

‘It was only thanks to the quick and efficient actions of crews and officers, as well as the proactive work of Barking & Dagenham Council to create fire breaks, that prevented the fire from spreading to surrounding homes.

‘On 7 August, three fire engines were called to a fire near Whitehall Lane in Erith, where firefighters found around two hectares of grassland alight. The fire is also believed to have been started deliberately’.

Overall, since the start of June, nearly 80 fires in locations such as open grassland, scrubland, woodland, parks and other green spaces have been recorded as deliberate.

On Monday (11 August) an amber alert was issued for large parts of England covering the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, and the South East.

The alert flags up significant impacts expected across health and social care, but the dry conditions mean the Fire Brigade are also expecting trouble.

Scorched areas of scrubland; photograph London Fire Brigade

Risk of wildfires “severe”

‘After a period of cooler and fresher weather, sunshine and high temperatures are forecast. Coupled with the below average-rainfall experienced so far this year, the risk of wildfires in London is currently considered as severe by the Natural Hazards Partnership’.

London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Tom Goodall said:

“What might seem like harmless fun has the potential to have devastating consequences especially in London when so many of our green spaces lie close to properties.

“As we head into the fourth week of the school holidays, we’re urging parents to inform their children on the risks of starting an outdoor fire, as well as encouraging them not to act recklessly or irresponsibly.”

Do not use disposable barbeques in parks

The Assistant commissioner particularly warned against the use of disposable barbeques, of the sort people sometimes use for picnics in Dukes Meadows.

“If you’re heading out, please don’t take a disposable BBQ with you. They can retain heat for several hours after use and are banned by local authorities from many of London’s parks.

“Also make sure you are discarding cigarettes properly and take rubbish home with you if there are no bins are available.

“At home, make sure your BBQ is positioned away from flammable items like fencing, sheds, decking or trees and please don’t have any type of BBQ on your balcony.

“We’re also strongly advising people to avoid burning any waste in this type of weather and to not have bonfires, particularly in their gardens.”

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