London Fire Brigade faces busiest day of 2026 as grass fires spread
Firefighters battled 63 blazes across the capital on Wednesday as temperatures exceeded 30C.
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The London Fire Brigade recorded its busiest 24-hour period of 2026 on Wednesday, responding to 63 grass fires across the capital. This surge in activity occurred as temperatures exceeded 30C. Control officers managed more than 1,300 emergency calls, and crews attended over 500 incidents, according to the brigade.
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In Havering, firefighters worked to contain significant blazes in Hornchurch and Rainham. At the height of a fire near South End Road in Hornchurch, approximately six hectares of land were alight, the London Fire Brigade said. Eight fire engines and 60 firefighters were deployed to the Hornchurch site between 1:18pm and 3:22pm. Shortly after, crews attended a second fire near Berwick Pond Road in Rainham, which was brought under control by 5:12pm.
Firefighters used specialist equipment to manage the flames, including backpack blowers and wildfire beaters. The blowers allow crews to push flames back into previously burnt areas to increase efficiency. Wildfire beaters, consisting of a long handle with a rubber end, are used to deprive flames of oxygen and cool the ground.
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In these hot, dry conditions, grass fires can spread incredibly quickly, threatening homes, wildlife and the environment, while tying up vital emergency resources.
Andy Pennick, Assistant Commissioner
Natural England currently rates the risk from blazes in the capital as very high according to its fire severity index. Assistant commissioner Andy Pennick described the recent 24-hour period as incredibly challenging due to hot and arduous conditions. He urged the public to avoid using disposable barbecues in parks or open spaces and to dispose of cigarettes responsibly.
The causes of the fires in Hornchurch and Rainham remain under investigation. Authorities advised residents to keep home barbecues away from fences, sheds and trees, and to clear dry vegetation from the perimeter of buildings.
Questions this report answers
+How many grass fires did the London Fire Brigade respond to on Wednesday?
The London Fire Brigade responded to 63 grass fires across the capital on Wednesday. This marked the busiest 24-hour period of 2026 for the brigade, with temperatures exceeding 30C during the surge in activity.
+What was the size of the largest grass fire near Hornchurch?
The largest grass fire near South End Road in Hornchurch burned approximately six hectares at its peak. Eight fire engines and 60 firefighters were deployed to tackle the blaze between 1:18pm and 3:22pm.
+What specialist equipment did firefighters use to manage the grass fires?
Firefighters used specialist equipment such as backpack blowers and wildfire beaters. The blowers pushed flames back into burnt areas to increase efficiency, while the beaters deprived flames of oxygen and cooled the ground.
+What warning did authorities issue about the risk of grass fires?
Authorities warned that the risk of blazes in the capital is currently rated as very high by Natural England. They urged the public to avoid disposable barbecues in parks or open spaces and to dispose of cigarettes responsibly.
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