The world looks on in horror as Los Angeles burns, lives are lost and thousands of homes are destroyed, but could it happen here and how prepared is the UK?
Experts warn we can expect to see an significant increase in wildfires in UK due to climate change while fire services have been cut with thousands of firefighters jobs lost and response times slower.
Countries like Australia and United States have seen devastating wildfires on a large scale but it is rare to associate the UK with such a natural disaster…but that may all be about to change.
According to the National Emergencies Trust, the reality is that wildfires have been quietly plaguing several parts of the UK, posing a growing threat to wildlife, ecosystems and human lives.
Mhairi Sharp, CEO of the trust, which is a nationwide disaster charity for the UK, said: “The threat of wildfires has been on the rise in recent years as climate change is altering the landscape.
“Rising temperatures, prolonged dry spells, and changes in vegetation patterns are creating conditions conducive to wildfires.
“While not as frequent as in some other parts of the world, the UK has experienced several significant wildfire incidents in recent years.”
During the heatwaves in the summer of 2022, when temperatures rose above 40 degrees, 20 houses were destroyed in a large grassfire in Wennington, east London on July 19.
The Wennington Wildfire began when a compost heap spontaneously combusted on the hottest day of the year since British records began.
Fortunately no one was killed but it has been described as an indication of the threat posed by global warning in the UK.
And while that fire made headline news it was in fact just was one of 24,316 wildfires in England between June and August that summer, a four-fold increase in the same period from the previous year.
According to scientists at the Met Office and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, there is projected to be a rise in wildfires globally by 14% by 2030, 30% by 2050 and 50% by 2100.
Meanwhile latest figures obtained by the Fire Brigades Union reveal that 12,000 firefighter posts have been lost to cuts since 2010, leaving the UK without the resilience needed to guarantee public safety. One in five firefighter jobs (21%) across the UK have been axed in the last 15 years.
One in three fire control staff, who take emergency calls and mobilise crews, have been cut. Meanwhile response times to life threatening fires have slowed by three minutes, from 6.11 minutes in 1995 to 9.13 minutes in 2023.
Riccardo la Torre, Fire Brigades Union national official said: “Firefighters across the UK send their solidarity to all firefighters bravely tackling huge wildfires in California.
“Rising global temperatures and changes in weather are resulting in increasingly devastating wildfires round the globe. What we are seeing in California is a result of the climate emergency, without a doubt.
“In the UK, firefighters have been pushed to limits responding to unprecedented and dangerous wildfires in the past few years. Since 2010, we have lost 1 in 5 firefighters to cuts, leaving the UK woefully underprepared.
“Following the terrible scenes we are witnessing in America right now, the UK government must start rebuilding resilience with the investment the fire and rescue service urgently needs.”
Scientists say the main cause of the predicted increase in wildfires in UK in the next decade is climate change. Increasing temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns make the UK more susceptible to wildfires, according to climate experts.
Dry and hot weather during the summer months can lead to dried-out vegetation, providing ample fuel for fires. Human-induced climate change is causing more frequent, intense and prolonged periods of heatwaves and drier weather.However hotter weather alone cannot cause wildfires.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Lengthy periods of hot dry weather cause dry grass and foliage, and it only takes a spark to cause a wildfire.”
Discarded cigarettes, campfires and arson can have devastating consequences.
Ms Sharp added: “The threat to the UK’s wildlife and ecosystems cannot be understated. Wildfires can devastate ecosystems, destroy habitats, disrupt natural cycles and have long-lasting effects on biodiversity. Native plants and wildlife can struggle to recover in the aftermath.”
The British Red Cross spokesperson said: “Smoke and air pollution from wildfires can pose serious health risks, especially for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.”
They advise UK residents to familiarise yourself with advice to keep safe from the dangers of wildfires and fires in the open and to devise a safety plan for your family.
“Make sure your family members (or members of staff know what to do and where to assemble in the event of a wildfire. This includes how to care for pets and domestic animals.
“If you live in a rural area, make sure your home name or number is clearly visible from the road or main access point so firefighters can easily locate your address. Check the current wildfire risk in your area (based on weather conditions) using the Met Office Fire Severity Index.
“If it hasn’t rained for a prolonged period of time, the chances of wildfires are increased.”
Wildfires also pose a potentially huge economic cost to the UK economy, The National Emergencies Trust says. Fighting wildfires and repairing the damage they cause can be expensive straining resources at both the local and national levels.
Homes located near wildfire-prone areas face a constant threat, requiring vigilance and preparedness from residents. Furthermore, the risks to firefighters battling these unpredictable and fast-moving blazes are substantial, often requiring them to work in hazardous conditions with limited resources.
London Fire Brigade has issued the following guidelines to help members of the public know what to do if they discover a wildfire.
- Ensure you are in a safe location (away from vegetation and smoke).
- Stay calm – call 999 immediately. Be as specific as you can about the location, the size and any other relevant information. Apps like what3words can help fire crews to get there quickly.
- Do not attempt to tackle the blaze yourself.
- If you are in your car, close all windows and vents.
- Grass and wildfire prevention tips: Don’t throw cigarettes out of car windows, they may land on dry grass by the roadside.
- Don’t have barbecues in parks and public or other open spaces.
- Take all your litter home – including glass bottles.