Mayor calls for collective action to tackle increased wildfire risks

• So far, this summer alone, the London Fire Brigade has already responded to 64 wildfires, compared to just 19 in the entire summer of 2020 — a staggering 237 per cent increase with weeks still to go of this hot summer
• The impact of climate change means London, across the country and parts of Europe are experiencing extreme temperatures and increased wildfires
• The Mayor encourages Londoners to play their part in helping to prevent wildfires.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is today calling for collective action to tackle the growing threat of wildfires in the capital. With temperatures rising in London over the summer months and the number of wildfires increasing, the Mayor is determined to do everything possible to ensure the capital is prepared for the ongoing impact of climate change, wildfires and extreme heat.

This summer alone, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has already responded to 64 wildfires, compared to just 19 in the entire summer of 2020 — a staggering 237 per cent increase. On 19 July 2022, the London Fire Brigade experienced its busiest day since World War II due to wildfire and extreme heat related calls. Demand on LFB services has remained consistently high since then.

Higher temperatures coupled with the below average-rainfall experienced so far this year mean that the risk of wildfires in London is currently considered as severe by the Natural Hazards Partnership.[2]

Sadiq is calling for better education for all Londoners, enhanced partnership work and sustainable funding for fire services to help keep everyone safe from wildfires.

With so many green spaces and parks in London bordering residential areas, the Mayor continues to work with the London Fire Brigade so they are prepared to prevent and deal with wildfires in another summer of extreme heat.

Thanks to record funding from the Mayor, the London Fire Brigade has invested in enhanced training and new equipment. This includes:

Drones which provide real-time aerial views to map fire spread and direct resources where they are needed most;

Specialised ‘Holey Hoses’ that create a curtain of water reaching up to two metres high when a fire is spreading across land, the hose will be deployed to protect life, property and wildlife;

New off-road 4X4 wildfire response vehicles capable of reaching fires quickly across difficult terrain, including grassland. These vehicles can extinguish fires on the move and be used to create firebreaks – using water to soak the ground to help stop fires from spreading further.

Specialist responders trained in wildfire dynamics and firefighting tactics.

The Mayor and the London Fire Brigade are also working closely with partners including the Natural Hazards Partnership, the Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency, using their expertise to highlight risks and quickly scale up resources in the event of a high demand incident – including flash flooding.

The LFB continues to work closely with London boroughs to help prevent fires. This includes working together to manage open spaces by keeping grass short and removing cuttings to reduce the risk of wildfires. This is especially important on land adjacent to homes and businesses.

Long periods of hot, dry weather mean that it only takes a spark to cause a wildfire and whilst wildfires can start naturally, the majority of fires are started deliberately or accidentally by members of the public. This happened in Dagenham in July and required around 125 firefighters to safely extinguish a fire in parkland. It was only thanks to the quick and efficient actions of crews, who used new equipment, skills and specially trained officers, as well as the proactive work of councils to create fire breaks, that prevented the fire from spreading to surrounding homes.[3]

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. And whilst temperatures are expected to fall slightly in the next week, London’s grass can be tinderbox dry following weeks of sunshine and little rain. That's why the Mayor is urging Londoners to take care, be responsible and follow LFB prevention advice.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The climate crisis is having a devastating impact on our environment with temperatures rising in London, across the UK and around the world. Wildfires are raging across Europe engulfing green spaces, endangering homes, forcing evacuations and posing a genuine threat to life. This isn’t a faraway issue, it's on our doorstep. 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. 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."

London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith said: “The risk of wildfires in London is increasing, driven by hotter, drier weather that makes it far easier for fires to start and spread rapidly. 

“Thanks to record investment from the Mayor, we’ve strengthened our training and expanded our wildfire capabilities, introducing new equipment and trialling new response vehicles to keep Londoners safe. This includes specialist off-road 4x4 wildfire response vehicles to reach fires quickly in challenging terrain, drones providing real-time aerial mapping, and specialist hoses designed to protect people, property and green spaces.

"As our climate changes, we must adapt and stay ahead of the risks. By working closely with communities, landowners and our partners, we can reduce the likelihood of wildfires and ensure that when they do occur, we are ready to respond effectively. The safety of Londoners will always be our highest priority, and we will continue to invest, develop and train to meet future challenges head on.”

Mayor Brenda Dacres OBE, London Councils’ Executive Member for Transport & Environment, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to London’s firefighters for their tireless efforts in keeping our residents safe during recent wildfires. In this hot and dry weather, it’s vital that we all play our part in avoiding the risk of fires by taking extra care in parks and open spaces.

“As climate change continues to heighten the risk of wildfires, boroughs are working hard with our partners to keep green spaces safe and to support our communities during periods of hot weather.”

Bob Ward, Chair of the London Climate Ready Partnership, said: “Wildfires are an increasing risk to London due to climate change. Higher temperatures mean that vegetation dries out more quickly, and provides the fuel for wildfires to spread more quickly once they have started. This is a risk that will increase for the next few decades until the world reaches net zero emissions of greenhouse gases. It was a key threat highlighted in the London Climate Resilience Review, which was commissioned by the Mayor and published last year. The forthcoming Heat Risk Plan for London provides an opportunity to coordinate all stakeholders across the capital to reduce and manage the risks from wildfires.”