UK cities face devastating 'firewave' as scientists name areas most at risk

Daily Mirror

a day ago

A rise in temperatures due to climate change has led to experts warning of a 'firewave' un urban areas. Hotter temperatures increase the likelihood of mulitple fires
Brits in cities are facing a threat from a phenomenon known as ' firewaves ' as early as this weekend as climate change sends temperatures rising.
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Experts at Imperial College London, have been working with the London Fire Brigade to help predict when conditions are most likely to cause a so-called 'firewave', when long periods of hot weather trigger multiple urban wildfires that overwhelm emergency services.
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It comes following a large blaze on Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh and three separate heath fires in London amid a UK heatwave.
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Guillermo Rein, professor of fire science at Imperial College London, has said current forecasts could make London a fire risk by this weekend. His team's research says that dry weather 10 days in a row dramatically increases the likelihood of a number of fires igniting at the same time because of moisture being removed from vegetation.
The Imperial College London team suggests the Met Office should adopt the term to reflect the risk of wildfires in urban areas during a heatwave.
Rein has been working with the London Fire Brigade (LFB) to help predict firewave conditions. LFB Assistant Commissioner Tom Goodall added that he welcomed research that may help the prevention of fires.
The LFB is "ready to tackle the threat of wildfires head-on to help protect London's communities and green spaces", Mr Goodall told the BBC.
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Professor Rein's research with the LFB looked at data going back to 2009. This helped identify what they think are the important factors that lead to wildfires in London.
The factors include how much moisture can be extracted from the land, which is known as the "vapour pressure deficit". The more moisture extracted, the higher the deficit and an increased likelihood of fires starting.
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"Vegetation doesn't just become a bit more flammable," Professor Rein said. 'It becomes much more flammable."
He continued: "Once the moisture content of the vegetation drops below a certain threshold, even a small spark can lead to a fast-spreading fire.'
While most fires are started accidentally or deliberately by humans, a rise in temperatures is making the situation worse.
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"Climate change is bringing more heatwaves and longer dry spells," Professor Rein said. "These conditions dry out fuels and increase the risk of wildfires. That risk is much greater now than it was even a decade ago."
He added: "I worry about all other UK cities and other northern European cities in particular because climate change seems to be making green vegetation that was not flammable very flammable indeed… And these places don't have a history of dealing with wildfires so don't have as much institutional experience as cities in the south of the continent."
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It is believed that urban environments like London could be the most at risk due to green spaces next to residential areas. In 2022, a summer in which London experienced temperatures of over 40C for the first time on record, the LFB experienced its busiest day since World War Two.
Simultaneous fires broke out on July 19 that year. A fire in Wennington, East London, destroyed 37 buildings and five cars. A total of 88 homes had to be evacuated.
"The potential for fires to spread into homes is very real," said Barking and Dagenham Borough Commander Blake Betts. "We're seeing more extreme weather events, and that's why the London Fire Brigade has adopted a much more proactive approach."
The LFB has said it has invested in technologies such as drones to help with wildfire response, along with off-road vehicles to create firebreaks.