London endured another day of intense heat on Friday as much of the capital baked under the fifth heatwave of a record-breaking summer, with the mercury reaching 34C in central areas. Earlier in the week the hottest temperature of the year so far was recorded in the capital when thermometers hit 38.1C in Kew Gardens.
Official warnings and public-safety advice
The Met Office issued a rare amber “extreme heat” warning covering part of the capital, in place from 9am until midnight on Thursday, signalling an increased risk to health for vulnerable people and pressures on emergency services. Alongside the Met Office advisory, local bodies and emergency services have been urging residents to take sensible precautions as the heat continues.
Public officials have also warned about the broader consequences of sustained high temperatures. More than 70% of the country is now reported to be in drought following a record dry July, and August has so far delivered only 5% of expected rainfall, according to the reporting source, leaving London’s parks and green spaces tinder-dry and more susceptible to fire.
Fire risk and council advice
City leaders and the fire service have raised particular concern about the increased likelihood of wildfires starting in gardens, parks and open spaces. The London Fire Brigade has warned residents of the danger of major blazes as parched vegetation can allow fires to spread quickly.
"The Prime Minister urged ‘all retailers big and small’ to pull the barbecues from their shelves as he warned extreme heat conditions ‘could be with us for some weeks yet’."
In addition to the fire service warnings, Sir Sadiq Khan has asked Londoners to create fire breaks in their gardens to reduce the chance of flames reaching homes — practical measures intended to reduce the demand on emergency responders should garden fires ignite and spread.
Scale of the problem beyond London
Nationally, more than 1,000 wildfires have been recorded in England and Wales this year, matching last year’s total, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council. The scale of recent blazes was underlined by a major incident in the West Midlands where an extensive fire led to a child and three firefighters being taken to hospital, with dozens of houses destroyed or damaged.
Although those particular incidents were outside London, they serve as a stark reminder of how quickly heat and dryness can escalate into large, damaging fires — and why local advice on garden safety and the sale of disposable barbecues has become a live issue.
What Londoners should know and do
- Follow Met Office warnings and local authority guidance during amber heat alerts.
- Take steps to keep vulnerable neighbours and relatives cool and hydrated.
- Avoid using disposable barbecues in parks and on dry ground; follow any local restrictions on open fires.
- Be alert to fire hazards in gardens — consider creating gaps between dry vegetation and buildings where possible.
Transport and health services typically experience increased demand during extreme heat and residents should expect possible disruption and longer response times for some services.
Short-term outlook and what comes next
Forecasters expect temperatures to ease into the mid-20s across London over the coming weekend, offering a brief respite from the highest readings. Whether this marks the end of the season’s heatwaves is unclear; the Met Office and other weather services continue to monitor conditions closely.
| Key figure | Value |
|---|---|
| High in London (Friday) | 34C |
| Highest UK reading this year (Kew Gardens) | 38.1C |
| Country in drought | 70%+ |
| August rainfall so far | 5% of expected |
This heatwave has placed clear strain on London’s open spaces and emergency services. Residents should continue to follow official advice, take sensible precautions against heat-related illness and reduce risks that could trigger further blazes while the unusually dry conditions persist.
