London Fire Brigade’s busy summer continued over the weekend, with Control Officers taking nearly 3,000 emergency calls between Friday and Saturday.
Of the 2,912 emergency calls handled by the Brigade, firefighters attended 1,460 incidents, 423 of which were grass fires.
The busy weekend included:
- 55 calls to a grass fire near Lea Road in Waltham Abbey, attended by 14 fire engines and around 90 firefighters
- 35 calls to a grass fire near Watermead in Feltham, attended by eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters
- 28 calls to a grass fire near Forest Road in Erith, attended by four fire engines and around 25 firefighters
- 20 calls to a fire on Plashet Road in Stratford, attended by six fire engines and around 40 firefighters
- 19 calls to a fire at a range of shops with dwellings above on Newlands Park in Sydenham, attended by ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters
- 14 calls to a grass fire near Kenerne Drive in Barnet, attended by six fire engines and around 40 firefighters
- 13 calls to a bin alight near Gooshays Drive in Romford
- Eight calls to a grass fire near Ingrebourne Hill, attended by four fire engines and around 25 firefighters
- Six calls to a fire at a shop on King Street in Hammersmith, attended by four fire engines and around 25 firefighters
- Six calls to a fire at a university building on Bancroft Road in Bethnal Green, attended by six fire engines and around 40 firefighters
- Five calls to a house fire on Nevis Close in Old Street, attended by four fire engines and around 25 firefighters
- Two calls to a fire at a pub on Sydenham Road in Forest Hill, attended by four fire engines and around 25 firefighters
The demands on the Brigade’s Control Room, and continuing drought conditions, have led the Brigade to urge Londoners to play their part in protecting green spaces and parks from fire.
Assistant Commissioner for Operational Resilience and Control Patrick Goulbourne said: “Over the weekend, our Control Officers and firefighters have worked incredibly hard, taking nearly 3,000 emergency calls. Their tireless efforts have kept Londoners safe and protected homes and livelihoods right across the capital.
“In these dry conditions, it only takes a spark to start a grass fire and they can spread rapidly, quickly threatening homes, workplaces, infrastructure and the environment. A grass fire in Waltham Abbey this weekend evidenced this risk, as the fire caused significant disruption to national train services and the M25. That’s why we’re asking Londoners to play their part in protecting London, and our emergency resources, by taking extra care around green spaces.
"If you're heading to a park or open space to enjoy the sunshine, please don't take a disposable barbecue with you. Even after they have been extinguished, they can retain heat for many hours and pose a serious fire risk. Please also dispose of smoking materials responsibly and either use the bins provided or take your litter home if there are none available.
"If you're having a barbecue at home, keep it well away from fences, sheds, trees and anything else that could catch fire. You can also help protect your home by clearing away dry vegetation and garden waste and keeping combustible materials away from buildings. Small actions like these can make a big difference in reducing the risk of fire and keeping your community safe."
Despite the increased demand on the Brigade, the fire service maintained emergency cover across the capital by continually monitoring incidents and moving resources to where they were needed most.
How the Brigade tackles wildfires
- Terrain Support Vehicles: The vehicle provides off-road capability enabling the transportation of additional equipment closer to fires on open ground. Each vehicle carries approximately 475 litres of water, a backpack blower, ear defenders, beaters and misting lance technology, which allows firefighters to pump water and drive, enabling them to tackle grass fires more quickly and safely.
- Backpack blowers: These work just like leaf blowers to tackle the fire. They allow firefighters to push flames back into already burnt areas. This is a tactic that provides a faster, more efficient attack on wildfires.
- Wildfire beaters: 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.
- Drone Team: Specialist drones can provide the Incident Commander with an aerial view of the fire, allowing them to make effective decisions on the incident ground.
What to do if you discover a wildfire
- Make sure you're in a safe place (away from vegetation and smoke). Stay calm and call 999 immediately.
- If you're in your car, close all windows and vents.
- When you call 999 be as precise as you can about the location, the size and any other information. The free what3words app can help you pinpoint your location, so download it now.
- Don't try to tackle the fire yourself.
- Stay well away from wildfires as fire can smoulder or spread underground.
How to prevent grass fires
- Don't have barbecues (including disposable ones) in parks, public spaces or on balconies. Take a picnic instead.
- Never leave barbecues unattended and put them out properly after you’ve finished using them.
- Take extra care to ensure cigarettes are put right out and disposed of safely.
- Glass bottles and other clear materials can start fires if left in direct sunlight. Make sure you don’t leave any glass bottles lying around in parks and open spaces. Take your litter home with you if nearby bins are full.