Eco & Environment, New Forest | Posted on August 14th, 2026 | return to news

Call for New Forest ban on BBQs at campsites

The New Forest National Park Authority is urging privately run campsites to ban BBQs following the massive fire alongside the A31.

As firefighters continue to battle the heathland blaze alongside the A31 in the New Forest, which is affecting an area the equivalent of 210 football pitches, the New Forest National Park Authority is contacting the 100 plus campsites in the area asking them to ban campfires, BBQs and firepits on their sites.

Already Forestry England has temporarily banned BBQs and outdoor cooking equipment at its own 10 campsites.

In addition, people are asked to safely discard cigarettes and take home litter which is a fire risk, especially glass.

Anyone who sees a fire should get to a place of safety and call 999. If possible provide an exact location by using What3Words.

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) banning BBQs and fires in the open New Forest countryside, as well as petting and feeding free-roaming animals, are already in place in the National Park after being introduced in 2023 and extended in 2026. More than 50 retailers also backed the #BBQFreeNewForest campaign to ban the sale of disposable BBQs started in 2020.

While fighting the wildfire, firefighters attended two small additional fires on the Forest caused by abandoned campfires. Rangers also attended an incident where the use of a BBQ on the Forest had started a fire.

Although the current wildfire incident was caused by a vehicle fire on the A31, having naked flames in the outdoors is extremely dangerous, particularly at a time of drought and extremely high wildfire alert, and poses a risk to those tackling the fire, the New Forest’s ponies, cattle, and other livestock, and rare and internationally-important habitats and wildlife.

Those working hard to protect the New Forest are again calling on visitors and businesses to not bring naked flames into the National Park.