Even with recent rainfall this spring is still on track to be one of the driest on record in London

London Fire Brigade (LFB) is urging councils and landowners to play their part to reduce the risk of devastating wildfires by introducing fire breaks.

Despite recent wet weather, this spring remains on track to be one of the driest on record in the capital. LFB says that London already provides “one of the most challenging urban environments in the world for a fire and rescue service”.

Just under half of the capital is considered as green space, but the risk is heightened because many of these green spaces lie next to homes and businesses.

To help protect lives and properties from wildfires, those responsible for managing these green spaces are being asked to take crucial prevention steps in advance of any hot weather. This includes creating fire breaks, especially where residential properties are close by. This can include cutting and removing grass or ploughing earth to remove any flammable vegetation.

The purpose of a fire break is to create a barrier that prevents the easy spread of fire by reducing or eliminating the fuel available, such as long dry grass, for the fire to consume.

Charlie Pugsley, LFB deputy commissioner for operational policy, prevention and protection, said: “Extended periods of hot and dry weather can greatly increase the risk of a grass fire and particularly when that grass is tinder dry, the spread of fire can be rapid. We have seen examples of this in London as well as more recently worldwide, such as in California and South Korea.

“The rapid spread can be particularly worrying if it is in the direction of homes and livelihoods so it is vital we all do what we can to protect those areas ahead of periods of hot and dry weather. Last month, I wrote to the chief executives of each London local authority, outlining some key measures they can take, such as to create fire breaks, and to welcome the work that councils are already undertaking.

“We have made improvements to how we plan, train and respond to grass fires but we hope the actions we’re asking local authorities and landowners to take will help minimise impact and disruption, particularly in light of the weather conditions we have been seeing and what we might see over the coming months.”

In 2022, London saw record-breaking temperatures and long periods of dry weather that resulted in some of the most severe wildfires that the capital has ever witnessed. Swathes of grassland were burnt and, in some cases, such as in Wennington, properties were destroyed. The Met Office has confirmed England this year has seen the driest spring in more than 100 years, which mirrors the weather conditions ahead of the summer of 2022.

Grass fires can be prevented by avoiding the use of disposable barbecues in parks and open spaces, ensuring cigarettes are put out completely and disposed of correctly, as well as taking rubbish home if no bins are available.

Homeowners can also help by maintaining their gardens by preventing them becoming overgrown. LFB is providing advice to communities on how to help reduce the risk to their properties from wildfires, with officers and firefighters engaging directly with stakeholders and communities in their boroughs to support this work.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else. £84 annual supporters get a print copy by post and a digital copy of each month's before anyone else.