Record-setting temperatures in the United Kingdom are also creating weather-related incidents probably never before seen on this scale, according to London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Smith.
London has “probably never seen weather related incidents, particularly to do with heat, on this scale before,” he said.
Smith said that the service is dealing with “a number of significant and major incidents from grassland fires to significant property fires.”
“The ground is tinder box dry, so any small spark is then going to cause the potential for significant fire,” he continued.
“We do have rehearsed and practiced plans in place to be able to make sure that we’re prioritizing our resources,” Smith added.
Earlier on Tuesday, London’s Fire Commissioner had called for “an urgent barbecue ban” as firefighters continue to feel the effects of unprecedented heatwave temperatures for a second day.
