London Fire Brigade calls for 5,000 more firefighters as wildfires surge

London Fire Brigade has called for the urgent recruitment of 5,000 additional firefighters after handling 1,251 emergency calls in a single day. The surge in incidents on 6 July included 13 separate blazes, with crews battling wildfires across the capital amid prolonged heat and drought.

One of the largest fires occurred on High Road in Wood Green, where 80 firefighters and 12 fire engines spent 12 hours tackling the blaze. A separate incident at Ingrebourne Hill in Rainham saw 70 firefighters and 10 engines deployed to control a 10-hectare grass fire. Thirty-five residents were evacuated as a precaution.

Climate change increases fire risks

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steven Wright said the current strain on services is unsustainable. He told the *Evening Standard* that grass fires in London had risen sharply, with crews responding to around 1,000 such incidents by the end of July. Wright described rebuilding fire and rescue services as a "national priority".

London Fire Brigade operates 103 fire stations across the capital. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Joanne Smith said the city’s mix of dense urban areas and green spaces creates unique challenges. Nearly half of London is classified as green space, increasing the risk of fires spreading rapidly to nearby homes and infrastructure.

Residents warned over fire risks

The Brigade has urged residents to help prevent fires by avoiding disposable barbecues on dry grass and properly disposing of cigarette butts. Smith said the extreme heat and drought had turned parks and commons into tinderboxes, with fires spreading faster than usual.

The Brigade has introduced new equipment and training following the record-breaking summer of 2022, when it declared a city-wide major incident after receiving 2,670 emergency calls in one day. Smith said crews had maintained emergency cover despite the increased demand, with daily monitoring of incidents to allocate resources.

What happens next

The Fire Brigades Union’s call for 5,000 additional firefighters will require government funding and approval. London Fire Brigade said it will continue to adapt its response strategies as climate change increases the frequency and severity of wildfires. Residents can expect further public safety campaigns on fire prevention during dry conditions.