Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters tackled a grass fire on Woolwich Common, Woolwich.
Around a hectare of grassland and shrubbery was damaged by the fire.
One of the Brigade's Terrain Support Vehicles was sent to the scene to support firefighting efforts. 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.
Crews used backpack blowers, which work just like leaf blowers. 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 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.
Control Officers took the first of 35 calls at 1348 and mobilised crews from East Greenwich, Sidcup, Deptford and surrounding fire stations to the scene. The fire was extinguished by 1638.