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

Scientists face an increasing threat from a developing phenomenon called “Firewaves” as temperatures increase due to climate change.

The term produced by researchers in Imperial College London explains many urban fires triggered by long -term hot, dry air periods.

The warning comes with firefighters’ three different Heath fire in London and a dramatic Gord Fire in Arthur’s seat in Edinburgh in recent days, because the last heat wave of this summer has left the vegetation dry in both capitals.

Although these fires are now contained, it emphasizes the increasing fragility of urban areas to forest fires – a risk that was once largely considered rural.

Imperial College, Professor of Fire Science in London, Guillermo Rein is working with the London Fire Department to estimate that the conditions for “Firewave” have matured.

Based on current estimates, he believes that London may be at risk again this weekend.

London Fire Department Deputy Deputy Commissioner Tom Goodall said he welcomed any research that helps to predict the possibility of forest fires.

“To help protect London’s communities and green spaces, ready to cope with the threat of fire to help protect,” he added.

Profed Rein’s research finds that after ten days later, very dry weather conditions, the vegetation was dried in large areas so much and the possibility of holding multiple fire has risen sharply at the same time.

Using detailed incident data with air records from the London Fire Brigade dating back to 2009, the team determined the main factors that direct the forest fire outbreaks in London.

One of the most important ones is how much moisture of the atmosphere can produce moisture from the soil known as “vapor pressure lack”.

The higher the open, the more dry the vegetation becomes and the easier it ignites.

“The vegetation is not just a little more flammable,” Professor Rein said Professor Rein, “He’s becoming much more flammable.”

“When the moisture content of the vegetation falls below a certain threshold, even a small spark can lead to a fast -spreading fire.”

Most fires are initiated accidentally or deliberately by humans. However, a world of warming creates more favorable conditions for these flames.

“Climate change brings more heat wave and longer dry spells, Prof said Prof Rein.

“These conditions dry fuels and increase the risk of forest fire. This risk is now much larger than ten years ago.”

While researchers focus on London, concerns are common.

“Climate change seems to be doing green vegetation that is not really flammable because I am worried about all other England cities and other Northern European cities.” He said.

He continued: “And these places have no history of engaging in forest fires, so it does not have as institutional experience as cities to the south of the continent.”

Urban environments such as London are particularly sensitive to the abundance of parks and green areas surrounding the residential areas.

The concept of “Firewave” is to capture the unique danger arising when several fires explode in densely populated areas, which has the potential to depress the emergency services and threaten their homes and infrastructure.

This was in the summer of 2022, when the UK temperatures exceeded 40C for the first time.

On July 19, 2022, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) II. He has experienced the most intense day since World War II.

In Wennington, East London, fires erupted throughout the city, including a destructive fire that destroyed 37 buildings, five cars and forcing the evacuation of 88 houses.

LFB and District Commander Blake Betts have extensive experience of forest fires in urban environments.

Especially when open areas are adjacent to housing properties, they emphasize the serious threat they posed.

CDR Betts, “the potential of fires to spread to homes is very real,” he said.

“We see more weather events, and that’s why the London Fire Brigade adopted a much more proactive approach.”

In order to meet this growing difficulty, LFB says he has invested in new technologies and equipment.

Drones now plays a critical role in forest fire reaction, and provides real -time air views that help commanders to spread the fire and directly maize resources where they need.

“The view of the bird’s view from the drones gives us a great increase in situational awareness.”

“It allows us to target our efforts that the risk of life and property is the greatest risk.”

In addition to the drones, Tugay, Heathland and grassland introduced terrain vehicles that can reach fires in difficult lands.

These tools can be used to create fire -breakers – use water to wet the floor to stop further spreading fires.

Imperial College London researchers argue that a definition of heat wave of the Met Office does not adequately reflect the risk of forest fire in urban areas.

They recommend that they adopt the term “firewave” to point out the periods of excessive fire danger in cities – a concept they hope will inform future public security strategies and climate flexibility planning.

Comment was requested from the Met Office.