Hot, dry summers bring new ‘firewave’ risk to UK cities

The cities of Britain are facing a growing threat from an emerging incident, called “firewives” because the temperature has increased due to climate change, scientists have warned.

The term coined by researchers at Imperial College London describes several urban forest fire triggered by the expanded period of hot, dry weather.

This warning was struggling with a dramatic gorsel blaze on Arthur’s seat in Edinburgh in London, as the latest heatwave of this summer had left dry vegetation dangerously in both capitals.

These fire, although now vested, highlight the growing vulnerability of urban areas on wildfire – a risk that was once considered to be a large -scale rural.

Professor Guillermo Rain of Fire Science at Imperial College London is working with London Fire Brigade, when the situation matures for “firewaves”, to help make predictions.

Depending on the current forecasts, they believe that London may be at risk again by the end of this week.

London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Tom Gudol said he welcomes any research that helps predict the possibility of being a wildfire.

He said that the service is “ready to deal with the threat of the wildfire to help protect the communities of London and green places of London”, he said.

Research by Pro Rain suggests that, after ten consecutive days of very dry season, vegetation becomes so different in broad areas that many fire probability increases simultaneously.

Using detailed phenomenon data from dating back from London Fire Brigade back in 2009, combined with weather records, the team identified major factors running wildfire outbreaks in London.

One of the most important is a remedy that evaporation from the atmosphere is known as “vapor pressure deficit”.

The higher the deficit, the greater the vegetation, the more easily ignited.

“The vegetation does not only become a little more flammable,” Professor Rein explained, “it becomes very flammable.”

He said, “Once the moisture of vegetation falls below a certain range, even a small spark can give rise to a rapidly growing fire,” he said.

Most of the fire is started by humans, whether by mistake or intentionally. But a warming world is creating more favorable conditions for these blazes.

“Climate change is bringing more heatwave and long -term drought mantras,” Prof. Rain said.

“These conditions dry fuel and increase the risk of wildfires. This risk is now much higher than a decade ago.”

While researchers focus on London, concerns are widespread.

“I worry about all other Britain cities and other northern European cities, because especially climate change is making green vegetation that was not really flammable,” said Professor Rein.

“And there is no history of dealing with wildfire at these places, so there is not much institutional experience as cities in the south of the continent.”

Urban atmosphere like London, with abundance of parks and green locations, bordering residential areas, are particularly susceptible.

The concept of a “firewave” means when several fire burst into densely populated areas, which has the ability to overwhelms emergency services and endanger homes and infrastructure.

This occurred in summer of 2022 when the UK temperature first exceeded 40C on records.

On 19 July 2022, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) experienced its busiest day since World War II.

The city caught fire simultaneously, including a destructive explosion in Vennington, East London, which destroyed 37 buildings, five cars, and forced the evacuation of 88 houses.

Black Best, a boro commander with LFB, has a widespread experience of dealing with wildfires in urban settings.

He emphasizes serious danger, especially when open spaces are adjacent to residential properties.

CDR Bates said, “The possibility of spreading the fire into homes is very real.”

“We are looking at more extreme weather events, and that’s why the London Fire Brigade has adopted a very active approach.”

To fulfill this growing challenge, LFB says it has invested in new techniques and equipment.

Drones now play an important role in wildfire response, provide real -time aerial ideas that help commanders to spread fire and map direct resources where they require the most.

A spokesperson for LFB said, “The view of the eye of the bird with a drone gives us a huge boost in statusal awareness.”

“This allows us to target our efforts where the risk for life and property is the greatest.”

In addition to the drone, the brigade has introduced off-road vehicles that are capable of setting fire to the difficult terrain, such as Heathland and Grassland.

These vehicles can be used to make firebracks – using water to soak the ground to help prevent further spreading.

Researchers at Imperial College London argue that the current definition of Met Office Heatwave does not sufficiently reflect the risk of wildfire in urban areas.

They propose that it adopts the term “firewave” to indicate the period of extreme fire in cities – a concept that they hope that future public safety strategies and climate will inform the plan.

Met office has been asked to comment.