Sales of disposable barbecues have been banned in “tinderbox Britain” in a bid to prevent fresh wildfires.
Andy Burnham announced the temporary ban today, having suggested earlier in the week that the measure might be necessary to curb the number of call-outs that fire services were facing.
“Britain is a tinderbox right now,” the Prime Minister said. “Setting a fire in any outdoor setting is a risk to people’s homes and other people’s lives.”
A Government alert was sent to all mobile phones in England and Wales last night, warning of the risk of wildfires. It said: “Residents, landowners and visitors should not undertake any activity that could start a fire, including disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators or fireworks.”
Andy Burnham spoke to emergency responders at the West Midlands Fire Service incident command unit during a visit to Stourbridge in to discuss the response to wildfires across the region (Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)After the alert went out, the PM said he had ordered it at the request of the fire services and urged people to “take it seriously”.
He said: “During this period of extreme heat, I’m asking everyone to take extra care. Please do not light any fires in gardens, the countryside or other open spaces, including parks, moorland and wooded areas.”
Why is Burnham banning barbecues?
Burnham’s announcement comes following a massive wildfire at the West Midlands town Stourbridge, destroyed 19 homes.
Simon Tuhill, the chief fire officer with the West Midlands Fire Service, said that the Stourbridge blaze had “covered an area of approximately 500 acres” and although it was now under control a number of hot spots remained which were being tackled.
More than 100 firefighters, 30 fire engines and 11 specialist teams were at the scene during the peak hours of the inferno, with support from neighbouring fire services and national resources.
Burnham said the barbecue ban was necessary because they were thought to be a “probable” cause of some but not all of the wildfires which have blazed across the UK this year.
More than 1,000 wildfires have been recorded in the UK so far in 2026, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council.
What else is Burnham doing to prevent wildfires?
As well as implementing the barbecue ban, the PM has also ordered the military to assist in battling the blazes, with 100 personnel sent to South Wales to offer “critically needed” support.
Burnham has created the post of fire minister in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, appointing Baroness Blake of Leeds.
He also said he intends to convene a summit with fire services “to make sure we get in place the right support, including the aerial support, permanently if that is what they deem is needed”.
The prime minister has vowed to convene a summit with fire services to ‘get in place the right support’ (Photo: Byrne/PA Wire)The Prime Minister appealed to the public to do their part in preventing the further spread of fire under the present extreme conditions.
In a message on social media, he said: “We cannot accept this as the new normal.
“Much of England and Wales is in drought and we’re in another period of extreme heat.
“We shouldn’t just accept this as inevitable and I don’t.
“While these conditions continue, please stay safe and follow the advice of your local emergency services.
“Don’t set any fires outside.
“If you do, you could be putting someone else’s home at risk, even their lives.”
We cannot accept this as the new normal. pic.twitter.com/7gKTpU0JZC
— Andy Burnham (@andyburnham) August 14, 2026How will the ban be implemented?
Many large retailers and supermarkets had already voluntarily stopped selling disposable BBQs but now they cannot be made available for supply either in store or online.
These guidelines are being kept under review and will be withdrawn “in consultation with relevant departments and agencies, as weather conditions change sufficiently to significantly reduce the risks”.
Confirming the ban, the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST) stated: “In response to the current droughts and heatwave, the Government has introduced statutory guidelines in relation to the supply of disposable barbecues.
“Disposable barbecues have been the cause of a number of serious wildfires across the country over the summer months.
“Disposable barbecues cannot be considered a safe product in the context of the ongoing weather and environmental conditions and must not be made available for sale either in store or online at the current time.”
Will we see a respite from the heat?
Grahame Madge, a Met Office spokesman, said: “We are entering a period of more unsettled weather conditions and that will bring temperatures back down to around average for the time of year and it will also bring the prospect of rain for some.
“There is a signal for rain for parts of southern England next week but importantly that isn’t going to provide significant compensation for the shortfall in rain experienced by many over this summer.”
The Met Office warned that the unsettled weather may not provide enough ‘compensation for the shortfall in rain’ (Photo: Matthew Chattle/Future Publishing via Getty Images)Isolated thunderstorms overnight are expected to bring heavy downpours of up to 20-30mm over eastern England. Showery outbreaks have also been forecast across western England and Wales and Northern Ireland.
Saturday is still forecast to be very warm and humid for south east England, fine with sunny spells elsewhere with the chance of showers continuing for northern Scotland. But temperatures will top at 27C in the South East and 16C in the north west of Scotland.
Sunday will see fine weather for central and southern areas of England, further north it will be cloudier with outbreaks of rain. Northern Ireland and western Scotland are likely to receive the most rain and temperatures will peak at 24C in the South East and 17C in Northern Ireland and north west Scotland.
Hence then, the article about burnham issues barbecue ban to stop new wildfires was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Burnham issues barbecue ban to stop new wildfires )
Also on site :
- Clarks’ ‘Comfortable’ Loafers Have Shoppers Walking ‘All Day With No Fatigue,’ and They’re on Sale for $60
- Ted Lasso's Jason Sudeikis And Brett Goldstein Team With Sesame Street's Elmo And Oscar For Daily Affirmations — Watch Or Scram!
- ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’ Trailer Leaks Online, Prompting Co-Writer Chris Miller to Speak Out: ‘Not a Fan of Leaks of Unfinished Footage’