Yesterday (05/08), London Fire Brigade Control Officers took over 1000 emergency calls, including more than 200 calls to grass fires.
In total, Control Officers handled 1,080 calls and mobilised firefighters to 493 incidents.
206 of the calls taken by Control were to grass fires, including:
- 39 calls to a grass fire near Ambleside Drive in Feltham, attended by four fire engines and around 25 firefighters
- 25 calls to a grass fire on Woolwich Common, attended by six fire engines and around 40 firefighters
- 20 calls to a grass fire near Oak Street in Romford, attended by eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters
- Ten calls to reports of grass alight near Beaumont Square Gardens in Whitechapel, attended by two fire engines
- Eight calls to reports of grass alight near Wigley Road in Feltham, attended by three fire engines
- Seven calls to a grass fire near Lambs Lane North in Rainham, attended by six fire engines and around 40 firefighters
- Five calls to a grass fire near Green Lane in Chessington, attended by three fire engines and around 20 firefighters
- Four calls to a grass fire near Hainault Road in Romford, attended by six fire engines and around 40 firefighters
- Four calls to a grass fire near Ham Street in Ham, attended by two fire engines
- Three calls to a grass fire near Sandy Lane in Orpington, attended by ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters, who prevented the spread of the fire to a nearby business
Earlier this week, following a weekend in which Control Officers took nearly 3,000 emergency calls, the Brigade urged Londoners to play their part in protecting green spaces from fire, due to the impact grass fires can have upon people, homes, livelihoods and London's infrastructure.
Assistant Commissioner for Operational Resilience and Control Patrick Goulbourne said: “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. 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."
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.