Fresh plea not to light fires or BBQs in the New Forest and countryside
Wareham Forest fire anniversary highlights risk of BBQs
Last updated 18th May 2022
Two years on from the devastating wildfire at Wareham Forest in Dorset, visitors to forests and beauty spots in the south including the New Forest are being reminded to #BringAPicnicNotABBQ and help prevent a similar incident this year.
Started by discarded disposable BBQs, the fire at Wareham Forest began on 18 May 2020 and burned for three weeks.
It destroyed 220 hectares - an area the size of 350 football pitches - killing wildlife, destroying trees and scorching everything in its path.
It destroyed 220 hectares - an area the size of 350 football pitches - killing wildlife, destroying trees and scorching everything in its path.
The landscape is still scarred and will take a decade to fully recover.
In the run up to the anniversary of the fire, Forestry England’s teams have reported an increase in incidents involving campfires and BBQs. At Wareham Forest, the team have recently found several discarded disposable BBQs and campfires, some still smouldering.
In the New Forest, Forestry England rangers have been conducting joint patrols with the local fire service focussing on the risk of wildfires and the BBQ ban. The team have found evidence of abandoned fires and BBQs and have attended a number of incidents.
Police have also been involved with two blazes over the last weekend in popular spots.
Emergency services have attended several major heathland fires recently including one at Canford Heath in Dorset on 23 April where a fire destroyed a large area.
Whlist on Salisbury Plain earlier this month a 'potentially serious grass fire' caused by an illegal fire pit was narrowly averted.
Plea to act responsibly
Area Manager Marc House, Head of Prevention at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said:
“As the warm and dry weather continues, we know people will be drawn out and about to our countryside areas. We want to be sure that the local area stays as safe as it can be for everyone. If you’re visiting our heathlands, woodlands or countryside, please avoid having a campfire and take a picnic rather than use a disposable barbecue – just a few simple steps can make a real difference to preventing fire from starting. We’d also remind people to take care if having a barbecue or bonfire at home. All too often, we see property destroyed when an initially small fire suddenly gets out of control. Never leave a bonfire or barbecue unattended, and site them well away from fences, trees or buildings.”
BBQs banned in New Forest
To help reduce the risk of wildfires, disposable BBQs and fires of any kind are banned by Forestry England. There is also a ban on using BBQs and fires across the Dorset Council area. Anyone caught by patrols will face a £100 fine.
Retailers across the New Forest area are being encouraged not to sell disposable BBQs. Several major supermarkets including Waitrose and Aldi have already removed them from their shelves in a bid to reduce fire risks and single use plastic waste.
Station Manager Dean Hodges, from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“Barbecues, campfires and bonfires can very easily spread out of control and drier, warmer weather increases the risk of wildfires, so it really is vital that people take extra care when visiting our beauty spots and green spaces. Fires in the open can cause significant damage to our woods, heaths and countryside. We all want to be able to enjoy being outdoors and a few simple steps can reduce the risk of fire. Always discard of cigarettes properly, put litter and glass bottles in a bin or take your rubbish home, and please pack a picnic, not a disposable barbecue.”