Firefighters respond to busiest summer since 2022
London Fire Brigade (LFB) has reported that 117 wildfires were recorded in 2025, the highest number since 2022.
According to LFB, 83 wildfires occurred during June, July and August, following a dry spring.
The organisation stated that the 2025 total is more than double the 2023 figure and represents a 32% increase compared with 2024.
It added that the number is still below the 207 incidents recorded in 2022, when temperatures reached 40°C.
The Brigade has backed calls from the Mayor of London for collective action to address the wildfire risk.
Use of specialist vehicles in wildfire response
LFB explained that it continued to use specialist wildfire response vehicles during the summer.
It reported that the light, off-road vehicles attended around 50 incidents across the capital.
The Brigade said the vehicles were deployed to fires in woodland and grassland and were also used in mutual aid to Surrey and North Yorkshire.
It noted that the vehicles are able to reach areas that standard fire engines cannot access.
The Brigade added that crews used the vehicles at incidents ranging in scale from small woodland fires to multi-hectare wildfires.
Largest incident of the year in Dagenham
LFB confirmed that the most extensive wildfire in 2025 took place in Dagenham on 14 July.
The Brigade reported that 20 fire engines and about 125 firefighters were deployed at the height of the fire.
It explained that tactical wildfire advisors supported crews in containing the blaze.
The Brigade stated that the use of wildfire response vehicles and fire breaks created with local councils helped prevent the fire spreading to homes.
It added that the incident occurred during the third heatwave of the summer.
Major incidents across London green spaces
According to LFB, 19 incidents in 2025 required six or more fire engines.
It confirmed that these included fires at Wanstead Flats, Walthamstow Marshes, Rammey Marshes in Enfield and Woolwich Common.
The Brigade said several wildfires also occurred in green spaces in Havering.
It noted that these larger incidents were among the most resource-intensive of the year.
The organisation stated that crews worked with councils and other partners during these responses.
Statements from the Mayor of London
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “Our brave firefighters have been working incredibly hard this summer, tackling intense and challenging wildfires across London.
“Record funding from City Hall has been a game changer, helping to introduce new equipment and trialling new response vehicles to keep Londoners safe.
“This includes specialist off-road 4×4 wildfire response vehicles to reach fires quickly in challenging terrain, drones providing real-time aerial mapping, and specialist hoses designed to protect people, property and green spaces.
“All of these have meant London Fire Brigade has been better prepared and able to deal with the surge in demand, which is clearly related to man-made climate change here and across Europe.
“The huge increase in wildfires this summer has shown how vital it is that we take collective action to tackle this growing threat to the capital.
“That’s why I am calling for better education for all Londoners, through enhanced partnership work and sustainable funding for fire services to help keep everyone safe from wildfires in the years ahead.
“By working together we will build a safer London for all.”
Statements from the London Fire Commissioner
London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith said: “I’d like to thank Londoners who have followed our advice and that of our partners and taken steps to reduce the risk of wildfires, such as avoiding using disposable barbecues, carefully discarding their cigarettes and ensuring rubbish isn’t left around.
“We know that climate change is having an impact on London’s weather, particularly during the summer where we are seeing drier and hotter conditions more often.
“It requires a joint effort from the public and organisations across London to tackle the threat of wildfires – including preventing them happening in the first place – but also taking steps in advance to minimise the harm and damage caused when they do occur.
“We’ve learnt from previous events, such as the summer of 2022, and invested in new equipment and training to help tackle wildfires and we will continue to evolve so that we are ready and prepared for future summers.
“As the threat from wildfires continues to increase, it is also important that there is continued investment to ensure we have the necessary tools available to address the challenges that lie ahead.”
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The figures from LFB show that wildfire risk in London is rising again after a reduction in 2023 and 2024.
The development and deployment of dedicated wildfire response vehicles provide insight into operational adaptations in an urban environment.
Statements from the Mayor and Fire Commissioner indicate that further investment, training and community engagement will shape preparedness for future summers.
The role of human behaviour in wildfire ignition, highlighted by LFB, also illustrates the importance of public awareness in prevention strategies.
London wildfires reach highest levels since 2022: Summary
London Fire Brigade reported that 117 wildfires occurred in 2025.
The total is more than double 2023 and 32% higher than 2024.
The highest number since 2022, when 207 wildfires occurred.
Eighty-three incidents were recorded in June, July and August.
Fifty incidents involved new wildfire response vehicles.
The largest incident took place in Dagenham in July.
Nineteen wildfires required six or more fire engines.
Mayor Sadiq Khan said record funding supported new equipment.
He called for collective action and better education.
London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith thanked residents for following safety advice.
He said climate change is making conditions drier and hotter.
He added that new equipment and training are improving preparedness.
LFB reported that more than 80 deliberate fires were recorded.
It warned that arson carries severe penalties.
Dry weather conditions increase the spread of grass and wildfires.
Urban green spaces create additional wildfire risks near homes and businesses.
Image credit: Image courtesy of London Fire Brigade. Depicts the Rainham Grass Fire on 10 July.