Three #GrassFires in 24 hours as #London hits 33C

James W Kelly
8/12/2025

"Three grass fires have been tackled by London Fire Brigade (LFB) crews in 24 hours as the capital records the UK's highest temperature of the day at 33.3C (91F).

"About 70 firefighters in 10 fire engines tackled a fire at the Wanstead Flats parkland in north-east London on Tuesday.

"A grass fire had been put out in the same area the previous evening.

"A further 60 firefighters also put out a grass fire of about three hectares (7.4 acres) in Northolt, west London, on Tuesday afternoon."

Read more:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c74d0nr7ex9o

#EuropeanWildfires #UKWildfires
#ClimateCrisis #ClimateCatastrophe #GlobalBurning

Hot, dry summers bring new '#firewave' risk to #UK cities, scientists warn

Prof Guillermo Rein: "I worry about all other UK cities and other northern #European cities in particular because #ClimateChange seems to be making green vegetation that was not flammable very flammable indeed."

by Justin Rowlatt, 8/13/2025

"Cities across the UK are facing a growing threat from an emerging phenomenon called 'firewaves' as temperatures rise due to climate change, scientists have warned.

"The term, coined by researchers at Imperial College London, describes multiple urban wildfires triggered by extended periods of hot, dry weather.

"The warning comes as firefighters battled three separate heath fires in London and a dramatic gorse blaze on Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh in recent days, as this summer's latest heatwave left vegetation across both capitals dangerously dry.

"These fires, though now contained, highlight the increasing vulnerability of urban areas to wildfires - a risk that was once considered largely rural.

"Guillermo Rein, professor of fire science at Imperial College London, has been working alongside the London Fire Brigade to help predict when conditions are ripe for a 'firewave'.

"Based on current forecasts, he believes London could be at risk again by this weekend.

"London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Tom Goodall said he welcomes any research that helps predict the likelihood of #wildfires occurring.

"The service is 'ready to tackle the threat of wildfires head-on to help protect London's communities and green spaces', he added."

Read more:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9vd79x97zlo

#EuropeanWildfires #UKWildfires #ClimateCrisis #ClimateCatastrophe #GlobalBurning

#Greece, #Spain and #Portugal race to contain #wildfires as #EU steps up cross-border help

By DEREK GATOPOULOS and SUMAN NAISHADHAM
August 14, 2025

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — "Fire crews in Greece, Spain and Portugal raced to contain wildfires on Thursday, taking advantage of calmer winds that slowed the blazes even as much of southern Europe remained at high risk under hot, dry conditions.

"A drop in wind speeds allowed firefighting aircraft in the three hard-hit countries to step up water drops, concentrating on existing fire zones rather than chasing fast-moving fronts. Authorities warned that #ExtremeTemperatures are likely to persist.

"Spanish authorities reported the death of a 37-year-old volunteer firefighter who sustained severe burns in an area north of #Madrid this week. It was the third reported death in Spain due to the recent fires. Thousands of people were evacuated from their homes in the region and still can not return.

"In Greece, the Fire Service said a major blaze outside the southern port city of #Patras has been contained on the outskirts of urban areas after a large-scale deployment. Three people have been arrested in connection with the fire, which authorities said may have been deliberately set.

"#HighWinds in Greece shifted to different parts of the country on Thursday. Ioannis Kefalogiannis, the civil protection minister, said authorities were bracing for the likelihood of a new round of major fires."

https://apnews.com/article/greece-spain-portugal-wildfires-european-union-78e8d4c8fd4d16bd99417ad94f11bc68

#EuropeanWildfires #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #Arson #ExtremeHeat #WildfiresKnowNoBorders