Hot, dry summers bring new 'firewave' risk to UK cities, scientists warn

Scientists are warning that UK cities are now at risk from a new threat called 'firewaves', which are multiple wildfires happening at the same time in urban areas during long stretches of hot, dry weather. This term was created by researchers at Imperial College London, who have been studying how climate change is making city environments more likely to catch fire. Recently, firefighters in London and Edinburgh had to deal with several wildfires, including a dramatic blaze on Arthur's Seat, as the latest heatwave left parks and green spaces dangerously dry. These incidents show that wildfires are no longer just a problem for rural areas, but are now a real danger for cities too.

Professor Guillermo Rein, who works with the London Fire Brigade, has found that after ten days of very dry weather, the risk of several fires starting at once goes up a lot. His research uses data from the fire brigade and weather records to figure out what causes these outbreaks. One key factor is something called the 'vapour pressure deficit', which measures how much moisture the air can pull from the land. When this number is high, plants and grass become extremely dry and can catch fire easily. Professor Rein explains that once vegetation loses enough moisture, even a tiny spark can start a fast-moving fire. Most of these fires are started by people, but climate change is making the conditions much worse.

The London Fire Brigade is taking steps to prepare for more wildfires. They have invested in new technology like drones, which give them a bird's-eye view of fires and help them respond faster. They also use off-road vehicles to reach fires in hard-to-access places and create firebreaks to stop flames from spreading. The researchers believe that the Met Office should start using the term 'firewave' to warn people about extreme fire danger in cities. This would help emergency services and the public get ready for these events. Other UK cities and places in northern Europe could also face more firewaves as climate change continues. It's important for everyone to be aware of the risks and take action to protect homes, parks, and communities.