Disposable barbecues could soon be banned in some areas in Dorset which are a high fire risk such as forests, grasslands and protected heathland.

The recommendations, which aren’t a blanket ban on barbecues, are to be discussed by Dorset Council’s cabinet on 6 April.

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

Cllr 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. No decisions have been taken at this stage.”

Group manager Darren Langdown, Dorset & 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 & Wiltshire and from neighbouring services deal with over 220 hectares of forest alight. This is believed to have been caused by a disposable barbecue. The incident took over 10 days to bring under control and was subject to multiple re-ignitions due to the nature of the terrain and the weather conditions.”

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