Firefighters have attended a flurry of grass fires across London as the dry and hot weather increases the risk of wildfires in the capital.
Rainham
Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to reports of a fire on New Road in Rainham. Approximately eight acres of farmland was alight. The Brigade received the first of 22 calls at 1731 (11 July) and Control Officers mobilised crews from Wennington, Harold Hill, Erith, Ilford, Edmonton and Orpington fire stations to the scene. The fire was extinguished by 2205.
Mill Hill
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire at an open space on Barnet Way in Mill Hill. Around four acres of farmland was alight. The Brigade was called at 1818 (11 July) and Control Officers mobilised crews from Mill Hill, Finchley and West Hampstead fire stations to the scene. Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service also attended. The fire was largely extinguished by 2032.
Dagenham
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire on Wren Road in Dagenham. Around three hectares of grass and shrubland at the park was alight. The Brigade received the first of 37 calls at 2153 (13 July) and Control Officers mobilised crews from Dagenham, Ilford and Hornchurch fire stations to the scene. The fire was largely extinguished by 2241.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "In recent days, Natural Hazards Partnership has assessed that the risk of wildfires in London is severe. This is because rainfall overall this year has been well below-average. The risk of wildfires will remain high whilst rainfall in the capital remains low.
“So far this year, firefighters have responded to around 26 wildfires in the capital. There have also been countless call-outs to smaller fires involving grass, trees and in other outdoor spaces, as well as in people's gardens.
“It is important everyone acts responsibly to prevent fires from occurring. As the weather has been so dry, it only takes a few sparks to lead to a fire spreading rapidly. In London, this is can be dangerous because so many of our green spaces lie close to homes and other properties.
“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 of cigarettes properly and take rubbish home with you if no bins are available.
“At home, make sure your BBQ is positioned away from flammable items like fences, sheds, decking and 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.”