In response to escalating wildfire risks amid prolonged drought and extreme heat, the UK government has imposed a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues. Officials warn that the devices pose a "significant risk to the public" after being linked to multiple severe wildfires across the country this summer.

The decision follows an emergency Cobra meeting earlier this week, where authorities discussed the dangers posed by record-breaking temperatures. The public has been strongly advised to avoid lighting open fires and to dispose of cigarettes with caution. Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the UK as resembling a "tinderbox," as fire crews across England and Wales battle numerous blazes. An emergency alert was issued to millions of mobile phones, warning of a "very high risk of wildfires nationally" and urging residents to avoid activities that could spark fires, including the use of disposable barbecues, firepits, and fireworks.

According to data from the National Fire Chiefs Council, England and Wales have recorded 1,017 wildfires so far this year, matching last year's unprecedented total. Devastating fires in the West Midlands have destroyed dozens of homes, while in Wales, a major incident was declared near Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, forcing evacuations and road closures. Firefighters in Hampshire have spent nearly a week tackling a wildfire in the New Forest, and Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service responded to 16 emergencies in a single afternoon, including a blaze at Mousehold Heath in Norwich.

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade has stated that disposable barbecues "cannot be considered a safe product" under current conditions and must not be sold in stores or online across Great Britain. The ban applies to England, Scotland, and Wales but does not extend to Northern Ireland. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described the measures as "common-sense steps to protect lives and the environment."

Prime Minister Burnham confirmed that retailers would receive guidance on the temporary restrictions, which will be reviewed as conditions evolve. He noted that some of the ongoing wildfires were likely caused by disposable barbecues. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Burnham said, "We’ve got 37 fires across England and Wales right now, four of them are major incidents. We’re going into a difficult weekend. Please just think about the situation that we’re in. Britain is a tinderbox right now. Setting a fire in any outdoor setting of any kind is a risk to other people’s homes, it’s a risk to other people’s lives. Don’t do it, please don’t do it."

Many major retailers had already voluntarily withdrawn single-use grills from sale under a 2023 agreement between fire chiefs and the British Retail Consortium. The framework advised suspending sales during extreme heat warnings or at the request of local authorities. David Skaith, the Labour mayor for York and North Yorkshire, who has campaigned for a permanent ban, welcomed the move but urged the government to make it long-term. "We know the risks that disposable barbecues have been causing, and to have a ban on them is much-needed, much-called-for, and I hope it becomes permanent," he told the BBC.

Burnham also announced plans to commission firefighting aircraft, similar to those used in Europe and the US, to better combat wildfires. He revealed that 100 military personnel had been deployed to assist with a blaze in South Wales, providing "critically needed" support. Additionally, the government is developing emergency financial measures to aid fire services struggling with the surge in wildfires.

"We have a fire and rescue service across the country that isn’t properly set up to deal with these incidents," Burnham said. "We don’t have the capability in the way that we should have to fight these fires. There are thousands of firefighters out there today doing back-breaking work, in full kit, in the most difficult conditions." He emphasized the need for the UK to address the "changing climate" and transition toward cleaner energy sources.

His remarks preceded the appointment of Baroness Blake of Leeds as fire minister. Environmental group Friends of the Earth called on the government to tackle the "root cause" of the climate emergency driving this summer’s extreme weather. "Without urgent action to curb the carbon emissions driving this crisis, future heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires will only get worse, and the ability for future generations to adapt will disappear," the organization warned.

Burnham made his comments during a visit to Stourbridge, where a devastating fire forced residents to flee their homes as flames spread through dry grass. On Thursday, the UK experienced its hottest day of the year, with West Midlands Ambulance Service treating 54 people across eight separate fires. Nineteen individuals were hospitalized for further care.

In 2022, fire and rescue services in England and Wales responded to nearly 1,000 wildfire incidents, setting a new record. The National Fire Chiefs Council warned at the time that climate change was increasing both the frequency and severity of such events. This summer’s conditions align with climate scientists’ predictions that human-induced climate change would lead to more frequent and intense heatwaves, as well as prolonged droughts.

Elsewhere, the Rugby Football Union has delayed the start of the community rugby season due to concerns over player welfare and deteriorating pitch conditions caused by the drought.