Ministers must publish an effective national wildfire strategy immediately after new data showed the number of wildfires has more than tripled this summer compared to 2020, London Assembly Members have warned. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said they have responded to 64 wildfires this summer compared to just 19 five years ago, representing a 237 per cent increase.

Higher temperatures and below-average rainfall have been blamed for the rise in blazes , with London at particular risk due to the number of residential areas that border green spaces and parks. Most fires are started by members of the public, whether deliberately or accidentally, according to the LFB.

On Tuesday (August 19) the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said raging wildfires were now an issue on "our doorstep" and sai

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