London Drought Declared Amid Heatwave and Fires
Temperatures hit 34.4°C in Heathrow as two grass fires broke out in Romford.
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London and six other regions of England are now officially in a drought, the Environment Agency has announced. This declaration comes as temperatures reached their highest point of the current UK heatwave in the capital.
The Met Office recorded a temperature of 34.4°C in Heathrow at 2pm on Wednesday. A further reading in Northolt showed 34.1°C that afternoon. The scorching heat was expected to peak on Wednesday before temperatures begin to drop.
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Grass Fires in Romford
Two grass fires broke out in Romford amid heightened warnings about wildfires. The London Fire Brigade reported that eight fire engines and approximately 60 firefighters tackled a fire near Southern Way, where around four acres of grassland were damaged. This incident was brought under control by 5.50pm.
A separate, larger fire occurred near Eastern Avenue West. This incident involved another eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters. Approximately 30 acres of grassland were damaged in this second fire, which was brought under control by 7.16pm. The causes of both fires are not yet known.
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Station Commander Ryan Kerby, who attended the Eastern Avenue West fire, stated that firefighters worked in difficult conditions to control the blaze and protect nearby properties. He reported significant traffic disruption due to road closures and urged the public to avoid the area. Residents were also advised to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke.
Health and Weather Warnings
The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber heat-health alert for London, the South East, East Midlands, and East of England. This alert signifies a heightened risk to health due to the extreme temperatures.
Looking ahead, the Met Office forecasts cooler temperatures for London from Thursday, with a maximum of around 28°C. While still warm, this is expected to feel more bearable than the week's peak. There is a possibility of some rain on Monday, though this remains uncertain.
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