Firefighters tackle 63 London grass fires in a day

London Fire Brigade (LFB) had its busiest 24 hours of 2026 on Wednesday, tackling 63 grass fires across the capital as temperatures topped 30C.

Control officers took more than 1,300 emergency calls and crews went to more than 500 incidents, the brigade said. Almost 1,000 calls about grass fires have been made in the past week.

On Wednesday Havering recorded the most grass fires, with 47, followed by Barking and Dagenham with 16.

LFB said the past 24 hours had been "incredibly challenging" and urged Londoners to take extra care during the hot weather.

Fifteen fire engines and about 100 firefighters were sent to one grass fire in Rainham, where four hectares of grassland was alight.

Two further fires on Ingrebourne Hill in Rainham damaged nearly five hectares.

Eight engines and about 60 firefighters tackled separate grass fires on Eastern Avenue and Southern Way in Romford.

Six engines went to a fire involving rear gardens in Hornchurch, and four to a garden fire in Enfield.

Grassland was also damaged in Dagenham, Hornchurch, Hayes and Croydon, while 40 firefighters tackled an outbuilding fire in Romford.

The brigade said it had maintained cover across London by moving resources to where they were most needed.

Specialist terrain support vehicles remained available for grass and wildfire incidents, and water rescue teams continued to cover the capital's 370 miles (595km) of waterways, it said.

Assistant commissioner Andy Pennick said the past 24 hours had been "incredibly challenging" for firefighters and control staff, who had faced "arduous, hot conditions".

"In these hot, dry conditions, grass fires can spread incredibly quickly, threatening homes, wildlife and the environment, while tying up vital emergency resources," he said.

Pennick urged people not to use disposable barbecues in parks or open spaces, to dispose of cigarettes responsibly and to take litter home if bins were full.

He said home barbecues should be kept well away from fences, sheds and trees, and advised clearing dry vegetation from around buildings.

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