Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters attended a wildfire at Rammey Marsh near Mollison Avenue in Enfield.
Around seven hectares of shrubland was alight. Part of the incident was near to the M25 motorway, resulting in temporary lane closures to allow crews to extinguish the fire safely.
Firefighters on scene deployed a wildfire response vehicle to help extinguish the fire. The vehicle is light, agile and its off-road capabilities mean it can reach places that our standard fire engines cannot. The vehicle is equipped with misting lance technology, which significantly enhances the way in which firefighters extinguish these fires. This wildfire response vehicle is one of four being trialled by the Brigade this summer to help respond to grass fires and wildfires.
Wildfire beaters were also used. The beater is made of a long handle with a flat piece of rubber at the end. They’re used to beat the flames, which deprives them of oxygen and cools them down.
A wildfire support officer was also in attendance in the role of a wildfire tactical advisor. This is a senior Brigade officer who has undergone enhanced wildfire training and is providing tactical awareness and advice to the Incident Commander.
Control Officers took the first of 10 calls at 1531 and mobilised crews from Enfield, Edmonton, Barnet and surrounding fire stations to the scene, along with a wildfire response vehicle from Enfield Fire Station. Crews from Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service and Essex County Fire & Rescue Service also attended. The fire was extinguished by 1807.
Whilst the cause of the fire has been recorded as undetermined, common causes for grass fires can include the use of disposable barbecues, unsafe disposal of smoking materials and discarded rubbish.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “If you’re planning to enjoy the summer sunshine in a park or other open spaces, please don’t take a disposable BBQ with you. They pose a significant fire risk as the heat can be retained for many hours, even after a barbecue has been put out.
"It’s also important to make sure that smoking materials are discarded of properly and either dispose of your rubbish in the appropriate bins or take it home with you if none are available.”
With the Met Office predicting a greater chance of further heatwaves this summer, the Brigade is also continuing its calls to landowners and local authorities to take action now to help protect communities from wildfires. This includes cutting back or ploughing grass, especially where it lies close to properties.
These fire breaks can help slow down the spread of fire, as well as protecting people and their properties.