On Saturday 11 July a grass fire covering roughly one hectare on Horsenden Hill required a substantial emergency response, underlining the heightened wildfire risk across Ealing during the prolonged hot and dry spell.
What happened
The first of six 999 calls reached London Fire Brigade at 4.35pm, and crews were mobilised from Wembley, Ealing, Northolt, Park Royal, Acton and Harrow fire stations. In total the brigade deployed six fire engines and around 40 firefighters, together with a drone and a specialist terrain support vehicle to tackle flames that had broken out across grass and shrubland on Horsenden Lane North in Greenford. The incident was reported brought under control by 6.09pm. There were no reports of injuries.
How the emergency services and council responded
The scale of the response and the equipment used reflect both the nature of the site — a mix of grass and scrub on sloping ground — and the current advice from the Fire Brigade that the risk of wildfires in London is severe. The council says it has increased patrols in parks and open spaces and taken a number of preventative steps.
- Patrols: park rangers and Park Guard teams are carrying out extra checks in higher-risk areas.
- Vegetation management: long grass is being cut earlier than planned and firebreaks have been created where risk is greatest.
- Public guidance: disposable barbecues are banned in Ealing’s parks and open spaces and visitors are urged to follow fire-safety measures.
“Given the prolonged hot and dry weather, wildfires can start and spread rapidly and I’d like to thank London Fire Brigade for responding quickly on Saturday.”
That message comes from Councillor Lauren Wall, the council’s cabinet member for thriving communities, who also urged residents to take simple precautions while enjoying green spaces.
Practical advice for visitors to parks
Both the council and the London Fire Brigade have reiterated a list of safety measures aimed at reducing the chance of fires starting or spreading on hot days. They stress that embers can travel significant distances and flames may spread quickly in dry vegetation.
- Do not use disposable barbecues in parks or open spaces.
- Dispose of cigarettes responsibly or use a portable ashtray.
- Do not leave glass bottles behind, as they can concentrate sunlight and start fires.
- If bins are full, please take your rubbish home.
- If you see a fire, move to a safe place away from vegetation and call 999 immediately.
Incident summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Horsenden Lane North, Horsenden Hill (Greenford) |
| Date | Saturday 11 July 2026 |
| Area affected | About one hectare |
| Resources deployed | 6 fire engines; ~40 firefighters; drone; terrain support vehicle |
| Times | First call 4.35pm; under control by 6.09pm |
| Injuries | None reported |
The incident is a reminder that even everyday recreational activity can pose a danger in our parks when vegetation is dry. The council’s preventative work — earlier grass cutting and firebreaks — should reduce spread, but residents and visitors are being asked to follow the guidance above to keep Ealing’s green spaces safe.
