Millions of people across England and Wales were startled by an Emergency Alert on Friday evening as the Government ramped up efforts to protect communities from wildfires amid the high temperatures and drought conditions across the region.
Alongside warning Brits of the potential danger, the message also highlighted a number of items and actions that would be “immediately banned” to help lower the risk of wildfires and reduce strain on emergency services. The measures follow a meeting of COBR chaired by the Prime Minister earlier this week.
Items Banned Immediately
In the alert, people were told not to take part in any activities that could start a fire. This includes:
- Disposable barbecues
- Firepits
- Garden incinerators
- Fireworks
Disposable barbecues have been outright banned following the emergency alert. The ban is a temporary measure and will be reviewed while the heightened wildfire risk continues. Retailers have been told to remove the items from sale immediately.
Restrictions on Other Activities
Non-disposable household barbecues have not been expressly banned but people have been warned to never leave a household barbecue unattended and to ensure it is fully extinguished after being used. People have also been told not to light fires or have open flames in the countryside or other open spaces including:
- Parks
- Moorland
- Wooded areas
While smoking materials have not been banned, users have been warned to dispose of their finished materials carefully. Smokers are also not allowed to ever throw cigarette ends from vehicles.
Litter and Fire Risk
This type of debris can easily ignite dry grass, leaves or brush on the roadside alongside causing environmental damage. Other types of litter, particularly glass bottles, can pose a similar fire risk and people are urged to take all litter home with them to be disposed of properly.
Local Authority Powers
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has also written to local authorities across England reminding them there are powers available for them to restrict activities that could increase the risk of a fire, such as Public Space Protection Orders.
These orders could potentially limit barbecues, campfires and many other forms of open fire in vulnerable areas. Anyone who believes they have seen a wildfire, or signs of a fire, must call 999 immediately, according to the alert.
