Disposable barbecues could be banned in high fire risk areas across Dorset.

Councillors on Dorset Council's cabinet will discuss recommendations at its April 6 meeting, which could see approval for the banning of the barbecues.

The proposals do not recommend a blanket ban on disposable barbecues in the whole of the county, only in areas which are known to be a high fire risk, such as in forests, grasslands and on protected heathland.

The report to cabinet asks councillors to consider a range of options which would form part of an overall strategy for the management of disposable barbecues. The council would work alongside its partners in Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service to implement and communicate any changes.

The options for recommendations include:

• The adoption of new council 'disposable barbecue and campfires/wildfires' policy
• Establishment of controlled gas or electric barbecue areas in high risk locations
• Enhanced education and communication
• Introduction of a co-ordinated approach to banning disposable barbecues in high risk areas

Councillor Ray Bryan, Dorset Council's portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, said: "The use of disposable barbecues in high fire risk areas of Dorset cannot continue. The devastation of Wareham Forest last year was inexcusable and could have been avoided.

"We know that disposable barbecues are a real threat to our important forests and heathlands in Dorset. They also contribute to litter as, ironically, they are quite hard to dispose of because they stay hot for many hours.

"The recommendations in the paper to cabinet members give a good range of options for discussion. No decisions have been taken at this stage."

Last year, there were 74 recorded fires in Dorset that are known to have been caused by irresponsible use of disposable barbecues, causing devastating damage to the inhabitants of heathlands and forests.

Group manager Darren Langdown, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service wildfire lead, said: "Large wildfires can be very serious and quickly affect large areas of the countryside.

"They also take a great deal of resources to bring under control, which can impact the availability of fire appliances for property fires, road traffic collisions, assisting our colleagues during the coronavirus pandemic and other emergencies.

"The 2020 Wareham Forest fire saw over 200 firefighters from across Dorset and Wiltshire and from neighbouring services deal with over 220 hectares of forest alight. This is believed to have been cause by a disposable barbecue. The incident took over 10 days to bring under control and was subject to multiple reignitions due to the nature of the terrain and the weather conditions."

Cabinet meets on April 6 and councillors will decide then which of the recommended options to take forward.

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