FIREFIGHTERS in England tackled nearly four times more wildfires this summer than last, a freedom of information request reveals today.

Fire services responded to at least 24,316 wildfires during June, July and August, which is the highest number during that time in at least 10 years, according to the statistics obtained by the PA news agency. 

Some forces battled more than 50 wildfires a day at the height of last summer’s record-breaking temperatures and droughts.

More than 800 wildfires were logged on July 19, the day British temperatures hit 40°C for the first time on record.

Fire Brigades Union assistant general secretary Andy Dark said: “Fire services are strained to breaking point tackling wildfires because of under-resourcing.

“Government has slashed funding and presided over cuts to front-line resources. This is why fire services are struggling.

“Wildfires have been on the government’s National Risk Register since 2013. 

“Fire bosses knew that this was a high risk facing the UK and chose to look the other way.”

Overall there were more than 10,000 wildfire incidents across England in both July and August.

The true figure is likely to be higher, as five of the 44 fire services in England did not supply data, while two, Essex and Northumberland, had only partial data for August.

One of the worst fires struck Wennington, east London, on July 19, destroying two rows of terraced houses, four other homes, garages, stables, outbuildings, and cars. It also affected 40 hectares of grassland.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Firefighters across London worked in very difficult conditions to protect Londoners during the intense heatwave this summer and their heroic actions meant no lives were lost.

“The grass fires are an example of how we are increasingly being challenged by new extremes of weather as our climate changes.”