Fire stations at Silvertown and Bow are among 10 that will close after the London Mayor overruled the fire brigade.
Boris Johnson has said he wants the closure plans, which will lead to the loss of 552 jobs, to be implemented by September 16.
The closures are designed to save £28.8 million and will lead to a reduction in 14 fire engines.
In a letter to James Cleverly, the Chairman, London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA), Mr Johnson said all fire and rescue services were expected to make frontline savings and London should very much be part of the programme of efficiencies.
He said: “You will appreciate that I cannot allow a situation to continue in which LFEPA has in the order of £35m of savings to be found in its budget for 2014-15. I am very concerned that, without timely action and intervention, LFEPA‘s expenditure levels in 2014-15 would be greater than the level of resources available to it.”
The London Fire Brigade has said it is now considering the mayor’s direction.
The plans have been heavily criticised by Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens.
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