Wildfire Takes Hold on Northolt Playing Fields
Eight fire engines called to douse blaze by Arnold Road
One of the Fire Brigade's new wildfire response vehicles was sent to the scene. Picture: London Fire Brigade
August 12, 2025
A wildfire broke out on grassland in Northolt this Tuesday afternoon (12 August) requiring eight fire engines and around sixty firefighters to douse it.
London Fire Brigade took the first of eight calls about the fire near the Lord Halsbury Memorial Playing Fields on Arnold Road at 1:35pm. Around three hectares of grass, trees and shrubland were alight.
Crews from Northolt, Ruislip, Hayes and surrounding fire stations were sent and they had the situation under control by 4pm.
One of the Brigade's Wildfire Response Vehicles was sent to the scene to support firefighting operations. The vehicle provides off-road capability enabling the transportation of additional equipment closer to fires on open ground. Each vehicle carries approximately 475 litres of water, a backpack blower, ear defenders, beaters and misting lance technology, which allows firefighters to pump water and drive, enabling them to tackle grass fires more quickly and safely. The Brigade is currently trialling four wildfire response vehicles across the capital.
The exceptionally hot weather caused a number of wildfires to start across the capital including in Richmond Park and Wanstead Flats.
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