The UK government has announced a temporary nationwide ban on the sale of disposable barbecues to mitigate wildfire risks, as Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged citizens to avoid outdoor fire hazards in a “tinderbox” environment.
Addressing the public from Stourbridge in the West Midlands, Burnham highlighted the severity of recent wildfires that have forced the evacuation of 19 individuals across eight incidents. He emphasized the need for an immediate restriction on single-use grills, stating that retailers must withdraw these products from shelves to prevent further risks.
Burnham described Britain as a “tinderbox” due to the combination of dry conditions and ongoing wildfires, cautioning that igniting a fire in outdoor settings poses significant dangers to property and lives.
While not all 37 wildfires nationwide have been directly linked to barbecues, authorities suspect some incidents were caused by this practice. Government advice has identified disposable grills as a contributing factor to summer wildfires.
“Disposable barbecues are not safe to sell under current environmental conditions,” the government stated, urging swift compliance from retailers and online vendors.
Burnham also announced plans to deploy firefighting aircraft, commonly used in Europe and the US, to combat the spread of flames. He stressed the importance of addressing climate change as a long-term challenge, noting that hotter and drier conditions could persist through September and into October, with potential flood risks in late autumn.
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