Barnet parks turn brown as London drought threatens homes and wildlife
Residents urged to clear garden fire breaks as satellite images show 86-hectare Victoria Park now straw-coloured
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Residents in Barnet are being warned to prepare for heightened wildfire risks as satellite images reveal the capital’s parks have turned from green to brown in just four months. Victoria Park in Tower Hamlets, London’s oldest public park, now appears straw-coloured in images captured by geospatial analytics company Map Impact. The same conditions are affecting parks across Barnet, including Friary Park and Hampstead Heath Extension.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has urged Londoners to create fire breaks in their gardens to reduce the risk of flames spreading to homes. The call follows warnings from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) that dry grass can ignite and threaten properties within minutes. Joanne Smith, Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Control and Mobilising at the LFB, said the capital’s mix of green spaces and urban areas creates a unique fire risk.
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Drought measured from space
Map Impact’s satellite images show London received just 0.2 millimetres of rain in July. Nina Moiseeva, the company’s Chief Scientist, said the rapid browning of grass is a sign of widespread drought. While some vegetation may recover after rainfall, the speed of the change highlights the severity of the situation. Moiseeva added that urban drought is not just a rural issue but a direct risk to London’s ecosystems and communities.
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Fire risks in Barnet’s green spaces
Barnet’s parks, including Monken Hadley Common and Golders Hill Park, are among the areas at risk. The LFB has responded to hundreds of wildfires across London in recent months. Smith said nearly half of the capital is green space, much of it close to homes and businesses. Fires in dry grass can spread rapidly, particularly in windy conditions, threatening properties and infrastructure.
Residents are advised not to use barbecues in open spaces or on balconies, including disposable ones. Cigarettes should be disposed of carefully, and glass bottles or shards should not be left in sunlight, as they can ignite fires. Barnet Council has not issued specific guidance for the borough, but the Met Office’s amber heat warning for London remains in place until midnight on 29 July.
What happens next
The Met Office’s amber warning for extreme heat covers London until midnight on 29 July. Temperatures are forecast to reach 37°C in parts of the city. Barnet Council has not announced additional measures, but residents can monitor updates from the LFB and the Mayor of London’s office. Further guidance on fire prevention is expected if conditions worsen.
Questions this report answers
+Why have London’s parks turned brown?
Satellite images show London’s parks have turned straw-coloured due to record-breaking heatwaves and just 0.2 millimetres of rain in July. Grass has entered dormancy, a survival response to drought, but may recover after sustained rainfall, as reported by The Standard.
+How can residents in Barnet reduce wildfire risks?
The London Fire Brigade advises residents to avoid barbecues in open spaces or on balconies, dispose of cigarettes carefully, and remove glass bottles that could ignite fires in sunlight. Creating fire breaks in gardens can also help prevent flames from spreading to homes.
+What is the Met Office’s heat warning for London?
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for extreme heat in London until midnight on 29 July. Temperatures are forecast to reach 37°C, increasing the risk of wildfires and heat-related health issues, as reported by The Standard.
+Has Barnet Council issued any specific guidance?
Barnet Council has not issued specific guidance for the current heatwave. Residents are advised to follow the London Fire Brigade’s fire prevention advice and monitor updates from the Mayor of London’s office and the Met Office.
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