London's burning? UK seeks to snuff out rising wildfire threat
What’s the context?
Extreme heat is not just fuelling wildfires in Canada and southern Europe but raising the risk in nations like Britain and Sweden
- London reviewing wildfire vulnerability after 2022 fires
- Wildfire risk seen in new regions like northern Europe
- Experts say Britain's fire service is overstretched
While record wildfires rage in Canada and southern European hotspots such as Spain brace for the worst, a rather unexpected location is also preparing for the ever-growing threat: London.
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As planet-heating emissions increase global temperatures, wildfires are becoming more severe in places like southern Europe and Canada - where this year's wildfire season is the worst on record, burning 76,000 square kilometres (29,000 square miles).
But the threat is starting to spread to new areas including northern Europe, where traditionally cooler and wetter climates are giving way to hotter and drier summers.
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In terms of size, wildfires in London pale in comparison to those in hotspots like Canada, or even in remote parts of Scotland which have experienced wildfires in recent weeks.
But a major concern for fire experts - and local officials - is how these fires broke out and spread where urban streets back onto rural areas or city parks, threatening people and property.
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