Amidst prevailing weather conditions that significantly elevate the danger of fire propagation, emergency services are issuing stern warnings to the public. A spokesperson for the fire service underscored the heightened risk, particularly in light of the current dry spell and elevated temperatures. Consequently, the service is unable to respond to non-emergency reports concerning domestic outdoor fires, such as barbecues, bonfires, or campfires in gardens. Their resources are being prioritised for genuine emergencies.
The service fully endorses the government’s cautionary advice regarding the prevention of fires, strongly recommending against the use of bonfires, fireworks, campfires, or disposable barbecues during this critical period. They emphasize the alarming speed at which fires can spread and escalate beyond control, posing a direct threat to homes and adjacent properties.
This warning comes on the heels of a wildfire emergency alert disseminated to millions of mobile phones last week. This urgent message highlighted the “very high risk of wildfires nationally” and advised against any activities that could potentially ignite a blaze.
Illustrating the immediate danger, firefighters from Braunton’s station shared a concerning incident on social media. A vigilant passer-by in Croyde discovered a still-hot disposable barbecue discarded in a bin and, acting quickly, managed to extinguish it with water and sand before fire crews arrived. This incident serves as a stark reminder of how easily such seemingly innocuous items can become catalysts for a major incident. The firefighters stressed that in the prevailing hot and exceptionally dry conditions, and given the already stretched emergency services, an item as simple as a hot barbecue in a bin can rapidly escalate into another entirely avoidable emergency.
In a further measure to mitigate risks, disposable barbecues have been temporarily removed from sale. This ban was implemented due to grave concerns that these products present a “significant risk to the public” as drought and heatwave conditions continue to engulf the UK.
