London Fire Brigade Warns of Wildfire Risk Amid Heatwave

London Fire Brigade said it responded to more than 1,300 incidents in the capital during the past week as a hot, dry spell drives wildfire risk. Over a busy weekend the service handled 2,729 emergency calls and attended 1,345 incidents, including a large fire at a block of flats in Mitcham and a grass fire that burned 10 acres in Rainham. The brigade urged residents to avoid disposable barbecues, to dispose of smoking material safely, and to stay alert in parks and open spaces.

Mayor Sadiq Khan warned that wildfires are now “on our doorstep”, while the UK Health Security Agency issued an amber heat‑health alert as temperatures in London are expected to peak at 33 °C. The Met Office’s UK Fire Severity Index forecasts “very high” wildfire severity for the capital through the weekend, with exceptionally high risk in areas such as Bromley, Croydon and Thamesmead.