London Fire Brigade's busiest summer since 2022
Firefighters attended 117 wildfires across 2025 - 83 across the capital between June and August
London had its highest number of wildfires this summer since the extreme heat of 2022.
Firefighters attended around 83 wildfires across the capital in June, July, and August, according to the London Fire Brigade. But for 2025 to date, the total number of wildfires recorded is 117 - more than double the total number recorded in 2023 and a 32% increase on 2024. But that's much lower than the 207 wildfires recorded in 2022, when temperatures reached a record-breaking 40 degrees Celsius.
London Wildfires
The most significant wildfire in London this year occurred on 14 July in Dagenham, during the third heatwave of the summer. Twenty fire engines and around 125 firefighters were called to extinguish the fire at its height.
In total, firefighters attended 19 wildfires requiring the attendance of at least six fire engines, including at Wanstead Flats, Walthamstow Marshes, Rammey Marshes in Enfield, Woolwich Common and several green spaces in Havering.
At the same time, the Brigade backs calls from the Mayor of London for collective action to tackle the increased risk of wildfires.
Sir Sadiq Khan, said: “Our brave firefighters have been working incredibly hard this summer, tackling intense and challenging wildfires across London.
“Record funding from City Hall has been a game changer, helping to introduce new equipment and trialling new response vehicles to keep Londoners safe. This includes specialist off-road 4×4 wildfire response vehicles to reach fires quickly in challenging terrain, drones providing real-time aerial mapping, and specialist hoses designed to protect people, property and green spaces. All of these have meant London Fire Brigade has been better prepared and able to deal with the surge in demand, which is clearly related to man-made climate change here and across Europe.
“The huge increase in wildfires this summer has shown how vital it is that we take collective action to tackle this growing threat to the capital. That’s why I am calling for better education for all Londoners, through enhanced partnership work and sustainable funding for fire services to help keep everyone safe from wildfires in the years ahead. By working together we will build a safer London for all.”
Statement from London Fire Commissioner:
London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith said: “I’d like to thank Londoners who have followed our advice and that of our partners and taken steps to reduce the risk of wildfires, such as avoiding using disposable barbecues, carefully discarding their cigarettes and ensuring rubbish isn’t left around.
“We know that climate change is having an impact on London’s weather, particularly during the summer where we are seeing drier and hotter conditions more often. It requires a joint effort from the public and organisations across London to tackle the threat of wildfires – including preventing them happening in the first place – but also taking steps in advance to minimise the harm and damage caused when they do occur.
“We’ve learnt from previous events, such as the summer of 2022, and invested in new equipment and training to help tackle wildfires and we will continue to evolve so that we are ready and prepared for future summers. As the threat from wildfires continues to increase, it is also important that there is continued investment to ensure we have the necessary tools available to address the challenges that lie ahead.”
While wildfires can occur naturally, the Brigade warns they are commonly caused by human behaviour, whether that be accidental or deliberate. Overall, since the start of June, more than 80 fires in locations such as open grassland, scrubland, woodland, parks and other green spaces have been recorded as deliberate. Arson is a criminal offence and the penalties for those committing it can be severe.
Weather conditions like those we have seen this year mean that when a grass fire does occur, its ability to turn into a wildfire is much greater because the grass is so dry and allows the fire to spread rapidly. This is even more dangerous in London as our green spaces are often found right next to residential or commercial properties, meaning that fires can spread beyond just the open spaces.