Temporary ban on sale of disposable BBQs over wildfire risk

The UK has temporarily banned the sale of disposable barbecues due to the heightened wildfire risk caused by drought and heatwave conditions. This ban, announced following an emergency Cobra meeting, comes in response to a surge in serious wildfires attributed to the extreme weather. The government urged the public to avoid lighting open fires and disposing of cigarettes carefully.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham compared the country to a "tinderbox" while 200 personnel were deployed to aid emergency teams tackling wildfires. Gurkha logistics teams equipped with water tankers and military engineers have been assisting fire services, particularly in South Wales. Burnham promised additional military personnel would be deployed if necessary.

Since the beginning of the year, 1,017 wildfires have been recorded in England and Wales, matching last year's record. Major wildfires have occurred in the West Midlands, where dozens of homes were destroyed, and in Wales, where a major incident was declared near Llandovery after dozens of homes were evacuated and roads closed.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service tackled 16 emergencies, including a fire at Mousehold Heath. On Friday, an emergency alert was sent to millions of phones warning of a "very high risk of wildfires" across England and Wales, urging residents to refrain from any activities that could cause a fire, including disposable barbecues, fire pits, and fireworks.

The ban applies to England, Scotland, and Wales but not Northern Ireland. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds stated that these measures were common-sense steps to protect lives and the environment. All retailers will receive guidance on the change, which will be reviewed. Burnham highlighted that some wildfires were started by disposable barbecues, emphasizing the dangers they pose.

Businesses and retailers had already voluntarily stopped selling disposable barbecues under a framework agreed in 2023. David Skaith, the Labour mayor for York and North Yorkshire, advocated for a permanent ban, citing the known risks of disposable barbecues. Burnham also planned to commission firefighting planes and seek emergency financial support for fire services, noting the need for better-equipped resources to combat wildfires effectively.

He called for a transition to cleaner energy sources as part of addressing the climate crisis, which is exacerbating heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires. Friends of the Earth urged the government to tackle the root cause of the climate emergency, warning that without action, future heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires will worsen.