Gateshead councillors have voiced concerns over wildfires this summer after a blaze ripped through a nature reserve last year.
It is thought any fires which start in hot weather could be exacerbated by low rainfall throughout the year.
Councillors gathered on Monday night and discussed the dangers that climate change, low annual rainfall, and possible droughts pose to the area, including potentially increasing the likelihood of wildfires.
Read More: 'Devastating year' for Northumberland's birds as weather extremes challenged wildlife in 2022
Coun Tom Graham said: "We have got lots of patches of grassland down the western bypass. If they were to go on fire during a dry spell, you would have smoke along the bypass causing traffic chaos."
Coun Graham also queried if the council could make a list of industrial estates and housing developments close to grassland or scrubland and identify them as areas of potential risk.
Coun Jonathan Wallace said: "The bigger problems we've got are the conifer woodlands in Gateshead like Chopwell woods and Washingwell woods. We have got some substantial conifer forestry throughout Gateshead and that's where the danger lies.
"They can get tinder dry and it just takes one bolt of lightning to strike a tree and it will light it up and burn down half the forest. These forests are close to substantial urban populations.
"If that lot goes up that's when your emergency package will kick in. People won't be affected by the flames but they'll be affected by the smoke and you're going to have to move a large number of people out."
Councillors were reminded of a wildfire fire last year which claimed 3.5km of Ryton Willows Nature Reserve. Although the origin of the fire was not identified, firefighters said the record summer temperatures may have led to an increase in the chances of fire and rapid fire spread.
It took fire and rescue services 20 hours to eventually control the blaze.
Coun Keith Wood voiced concerns similar temperatures this coming summer, in conjunction with a drought, could lead to further devastation.
Coun Wood said: "A drought is a result of extreme weather, the fires Tommy is talking about is as a result of extreme weather.
"Grassfires have always happened in Gateshead. A bit of grass gets set alight often maybe by kids, the fire brigade comes along and that would be the end of it. But actually, because of the temperatures we are going to experience those fires could be triggered naturally."
Fire officials advise people to resist having barbecues away from home and dispose of cigarettes appropriately in wooded areas, particularly when weather conditions have been dry and hot, to reduce the chances of wildfires.
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