British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering a ban on single-use disposable barbecues in response to a surge in wildfires linked to their use amid ongoing extreme heat and drought conditions. Burnham made the announcement while chairing an emergency meeting of the Cobra crisis committee, which brings together senior ministers and officials during national emergencies.
The United Kingdom is experiencing its fifth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures reaching up to 38°C, a level expected to surpass the record set in 1976. The Met Office has issued a rare amber extreme heat warning covering most of England and advised against outdoor exercise during peak daytime hours. Prolonged dry weather has resulted in drought conditions across three-quarters of England and all of Wales, contributing to a sharp increase in wildfire incidents.
Firefighters have been battling a significant blaze in the New Forest for four consecutive days, while wildfires have also occurred at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk and other sites. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) reported that the total number of wildfires in England and Wales this year, currently at 1,017, already matches last year’s record-breaking figures. NFCC Chairman Phil Garrigan described wildfire outbreaks as a “new reality” due to hotter and drier weather creating tinderbox conditions that intensify fire spread and strain emergency services.
Burnham emphasized the role disposable barbecues have played in sparking fires and signaled his intent to explore regulatory measures. "People should not be using those barbecues outside at this time," he said, highlighting the need for public caution in both cigarette use and barbecue activities in the countryside. These comments align with calls from the National Farmers’ Union and some members of Parliament, including Labour MP Jon Pearce, who is campaigning for a ban, describing it as a pragmatic response to evolving climate risks.
The Cobra meeting, which included ministers from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Home Office, and the Department of Health, focused on the government's response to heat, wildfires, and drought. A No 10 spokesperson noted the range of challenges facing firefighters, farmers, and health services amid the extreme weather episode and pledged ongoing efforts to protect communities, water supplies, and the environment.
Water shortages have become a pressing concern, with Southern Water warning that over 165,000 residents in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight may face restrictions if a non-essential water use ban is not imposed. This action would be the first of its kind in Britain since 2006 and would limit activities such as vehicle washing and window cleaning. Meanwhile, transportation providers including Chiltern Railways, East Midlands Railway, and Northern have issued advisories urging passengers to travel only if essential due to the conditions.
The extreme heat has also triggered wider environmental and safety issues. At Dunwich Heath, a recent wildfire exposed unexploded World War II ordnance, prompting the National Trust to suspend public access and conduct a drone survey of the area. In South Wales, fire crews described battling multiple blazes, some suspected to be deliberately set, underscoring the challenges emergency responders face.
Amid these pressures, analysts warn that the heatwaves are contributing to a deepening food security crisis, with repeated extremes jeopardizing harvests across the country. The combination of drought, wildfires, and heat is pushing Britain toward an increasingly fragile environmental and economic situation.