• [Daily Mirror Icon]
• News
• UK News
• Weather

UK households urged to avoid barbecues and bonfires 'Please do your bit'

A fire chief has urged people not to have barbecues or bonfires following 'extreme' warnings for wildfires as the UK experiences its third heatwave of the summer

[It is important to take care of your BBQ]

View 3 Images

Brits have been urged to avoid barbecues (stock)(Image: Getty Images)

Brits are being urged to not have barbecues or bonfires following several serious wildfires.

The UK has already seen as many 30C days in 2026 as in the infamous year of 1976, as the country experiences its third heatwave of the summer, the Met Office said.

But while many are basking in the glorious sunshine and enjoying barbecues, the lack of rain has created tinder-dry vegetation in much of the country - which has led to many wildfires.

Temperatures on Monday peaked at 30.1C in Hurn in Dorset, making it the ninth day in a row when 30C has been exceeded somewhere in the country. Junes heatwave saw temperatures peak above 30C seven days in a row.

[Crews tackling wildfire in Hampshire]

View 3 Images

Crews tackling a wildfire in Hampshire(Image: HampshireIOWFireService/Facebook)

Fire and rescue crews have been stretched as they tackle wildfires while seven English regions have been issued with yellow heat-health alerts through to Friday.

The North West, South West, South East, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England and London have all been given the warnings by the UKHSA.

In North Wales, the fire service urged people on Sunday not to enter the area near the village of Capelulo, where dozens of homes had been evacuated, as they tackled a wildfire at Conwy Mountain.

Matt Rowe, group manager for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, said the "careless extinguishment of a cigarette or a barbecue" is the "number one cause" of recent wildfires that crews in the area have faced.

More than 60 firefighters were needed to fight wildfire at Blackwater in Hampshire, near Camberley in Surrey, on Saturday.

[Crews tackling wildfire in Hampshire]

View 3 Images

The hot weather has left vegetation tinder dry(Image: HampshireIOWFireService/Facebook)

"It was about eight hectares of very rough terrain, mainly gorse, and it was actually backed onto a quarry, so we had very difficult access, which made the firefighting conditions very difficult," Mr Rowe told the BBC.

"We are currently under an extreme weather warning for wildfires and that's in particular with this very strong wind that we've got over the last couple of days. We recommend people not to have bonfires at home, and if you are going to have a barbecue, make sure you've got some water available, and if you are going out for the day, take a picnic and not a barbecue."

The fire service wrote on Facebook: "The hot and dry weather we are experiencing means there is a significant risk of wildfire across Hampshire and Isle of Wight, which due to the forecasted windy conditions, could spread faster and cause greater damage to our countryside, and make tackling these incidents more challenging.

"We have attended a number of large grassland fires over the past few days including these two from yesterday in north Hampshire. Please do your bit to stay safe and protect our countryside: No BBQs, Dont drop cigarettes, Take litter home, No campfires."

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) chairman Phil Garrigan has warned of the risks of wildfires during the hot conditions. He said: Fire and rescue services are currently responding to multiple significant wildfires across the UK, with challenging conditions helping fires to spread quickly and over large areas.

When vegetation is this dry, it only takes one spark to start a fire. What may begin as a small incident can escalate at speed, placing communities, firefighters and the environment at risk.

We are strongly urging everyone to take extra care while enjoying the outdoors. Avoid using disposable barbecues in parks, moorland, countryside areas and other open spaces, never discard cigarettes on the ground, and make sure any litter is taken home.

Wildfires can cause immense damage to landscapes, wildlife, agriculture and local communities, while also placing significant pressure on emergency services. A few simple actions can make a huge difference in helping to prevent fires before they start.

The Met Office said the heatwave is set to continue for much of the UK this week, with temperatures peaking on Wednesday at possible highs of 33C in some parts of southern-central England.

Temperatures are set to ease by the second half of the week, with peak temperatures dipping to the mid to high-20s for many by Saturday, the Met Office said.

[Daily Mirror Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.