Prime Minister Andy Burnham has indicated he is considering prohibiting single-use barbecues to help prevent wildfires, as Britain endures its hottest summer on record. During a visit to Stevenage, he said the use of disposable grills has created many of the recent fires.
Wildfire concerns and public warning
Burnham is set to host an emergency Cobra committee meeting later today in response to the prolonged period of exceptionally hot and dry weather. He stated: "There is obviously a significant problem of wildfires in the south. The New Forest fire is a great concern; we have seen them in northern areas as well as Suffolk recently."
He added: "This is a message for the public as well, because the wildfires I mentioned, many of them have been created by disposable barbecues. I do believe we need to get the message out loud and clear. People should not be using those barbecues outside at this moment in time."
Hottest summer on record
Britain has been grappling with heatwaves in recent months, experiencing its fifth of the year in what the Met Office has declared as the hottest summer on record. The Prime Minister's Cobra meeting, attended by ministers, officials and agencies, is the second of its kind this year to address heatwaves, following a previous meeting in June.
A Downing Street spokesperson acknowledged that firefighters, farmers and NHS staff are all grappling with challenges related to the weather. Parts of the UK are bracing for blistering 38C temperatures later this week, and a firefighters' union chief has issued a stark warning that the country is facing a "national emergency" due to wildfires.
Supermarkets halt sales
Uncommon amber "extreme heat" warnings have been issued by forecasters for London and parts of the South East, East Midlands, East of England, West Midlands and South Yorkshire from 9am to midnight on Thursday. In recent weeks, most major UK supermarkets have halted sales of disposable barbecues, believed to be in accordance with voluntary guidance from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).
