Around 40 firefighters have tackled a massive blaze near Alexandra Palace in north London. The incident was first reported at around 12.40pm today as six fire engines were sent to the scene of the grass fire in Wood Green.
Fire under control by 3pm
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said around half an acre of compost and garden waste was involved in the blaze but no one was injured. Road closures remained in place throughout the afternoon in the area surrounding the popular music venue. While the fire was under control by 3pm, firefighters remained at the scene to damp down hot spots, and people have been urged to continue avoiding the area.
Cause under investigation
The cause of the fire is under investigation. A spokesperson for LFB said: "During periods of dry and sustained extreme heat, the chance of wildfires spreading rapidly is high. The Brigade is ready and prepared to respond to all types of incidents, but we urge everyone to play their part to prevent incidents, such as wildfires, which can be time-consuming to resolve and have devastating impacts on livelihoods, occurring in the first place."
The spokesperson added: "If you’re planning to enjoy the weather over the coming days either in a park or other open spaces, please don’t take a disposable BBQ with you. They pose a significant fire risk as the heat can be retained for many hours, even after a barbecue has been put out. It’s also important to make sure that smoking materials are discarded of properly and either dispose of your rubbish in the appropriate bins or take it home with you if none are available. For those having a BBQ at home, avoid doing so on a balcony and ensure your BBQ is away from flammable materials like fences and sheds. You should also avoid setting up your BBQ on any decking you may have in your garden."
Drought declared in parts of UK
The warning comes as drought has been declared in North Wales and the Upper Severn following prolonged dry conditions, heatwaves, wildfires and dwindling rivers, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said. The announcement was made due to "continued lack of significant rainfall and sustained high temperatures, which are increasing pressures on rivers, wildlife and habitats". This is the first part of the UK where drought has been declared this year.
Various parts of England remain under prolonged dry weather status as the country only received 3 per cent of its average rainfall so far this month. Around 23 million customers are facing hosepipe bans as a result, with restrictions potentially staying in place all summer.
Wildfires have also been burning around the UK, with a massive one in the Cairngorms in Scotland in recent days. Yellow heat health alerts have been issued by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for six regions in England. These will come into place tomorrow at 9am and remain until 9am on Sunday. The areas affected are East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East and South West.
