Visitors to some of London and southeast England’s most popular open spaces are being reminded to stay safe this summer and take extra precautions in hot weather, following the warmest May and spring on record.
Elected Members leading the City of London Corporation’s open spaces, which include Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath, and West Ham Park, are urging the public not to use barbeques or light fires, and to dispose of litter such as cigarette butts and glass properly, to reduce the risk of fire and damage to wildlife.
It comes as a multi-agency training exercise, led by the London Fire Brigade, took place on Wanstead Flats yesterday which simulated an emergency response to a wildfire.
The incident was ‘played out’ as it would in real life, and the event showcased some of the Brigade’s latest equipment in tackling this type of emergency.
The City of London Corporation manages and protects over 11,000 acres of internationally important open space, many of which are charitable trusts and run at little or no cost to the communities that they serve.
They include important wildlife habitats, Special Areas of Conservation, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and National Nature Reserves, and collectively attract over 47 million visitors every year
Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee, Ben Murphy, said:
“Multi-agency training and educational exercises, like the one carried out at Wanstead Flats are vital to protect people, property and wildlife. It has shown how effectively our partners can respond should something like this happen in real life. And it puts into perspective the loss and damage that can be caused by wildfires, which is why barbeques are banned across our open spaces. Even litter, such as a carelessly discarded glass bottle, or a cigarette butt, has the potential to cause a severe fire, posing a danger to plant, animal, and human life. Our staff and volunteers work tirelessly to maintain more than 8,000 acres of ancient and historically significant Forest and we need the public’s cooperation to keep them safe.”
Chair of the City Corporation’s Natural Environment Board and West Ham Park Committee, Caroline Haines, added:
“Our parks and open spaces are a lifeline for so many communities, from City workers taking a lunchbreak, to families spending time in nature. We’ve seen how climate change has given rise to more extreme types of weather. Most wildfires in the UK are the result of human activity, and periods of hot, dry weather increase the risk of fires breaking out. If you see a fire, remember to keep a safe distance, and call 999. You should never attempt to put out the fire yourself.”
Chair of the City Corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee, William Upton KC, said:
“Our open spaces are enjoyed by tens of millions of people every year, and there’s no question that their value to society is enormous. The warm weather also means lots of swimmers visiting our iconic facilities at the bathing ponds and the Parliament Hill Lido. This may be the first swim of the season, so we do recommend caution when entering the water – the Ponds are deep and the water can still be very cold. The wonderful team of lifeguards are on hand to keep a watchful eye, and also offer advice to swimmers going into open water. The non-lifeguarded ponds do not have that benefit and swimming in these is incredibly dangerous and strictly prohibited. Our Hampstead Heath Constabulary play a vital role in protecting one of the capital’s most iconic green spaces, by working with the London Fire Brigade, carrying out regular patrols, and engaging the public. The best way to prevent fires from breaking out is to be careful and responsible during hot and dry periods. Let’s work together to keep London’s open spaces safe this summer.”
Keeley Foster, Assistant Commissioner, London Fire Brigade said:
“The wildfires that we experienced in London in 2022 were unprecedented and had a devastating impact on our open spaces and communities. Firefighters and colleagues across the Brigade demonstrated incredible bravery and determination to respond but it was an example of how firefighters are increasingly being challenged by new extremes of weather as the climate changes. We have learned from our response two years ago to make sure the Brigade is well-prepared to tackle this ever-growing risk head-on. New equipment including response vehicles and the Holey Hose, alongside enhanced training for firefighters, and the introduction of specialist roles at these incidents mean the Brigade is better equipped to respond if we do face extreme weather again this year. Preparedness and prevention is essential in helping to reduce the risk to our communities to prevent grass fires. That means not having barbecues in open spaces or on balconies, throwing rubbish away safely and not leaving broken bottles or glass on the ground and disposing of cigarettes properly.”
Notes to editors
The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
