Full Breakdown
UK Government Weighs Temporary Ban on Disposable Barbecues as Heatwave Fuels Wildfires
8/13/2026, 12:02:53 PM
Core Event: Emergency Cobra Meeting and Guidance to Retailers
Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired an emergency Cobra meeting to address the nation’s fifth heatwave. He urged “all retailers big and small” to stop selling single-use grills, stating the government is “certainly going to consider” a ban.
Background & Context
Nearly three-quarters of England and all of Wales are under drought declarations, creating conditions “ripe for fire to spread.” The Met Office has issued an amber extreme-heat warning for large parts of the country, with temperatures projected to reach the mid-to-high 30s °C and possibly 38 °C. This follows the driest July on record and is on track to become the hottest summer.
Disposable barbecues have been linked to wildfires, including a blaze that damaged protected heathland in the New Forest, which banned them in summer 2020.
Data & Statistics
- Drought declaration: ~75 % of England + 100 % of Wales.
- Amber extreme-heat warning: peaks of 38 °C possible.
- Recorded wildfires: 1,017 incidents in England and Wales so far this year, matching last year’s record (National Fire Chiefs Council).
- Retail response: Major UK supermarkets have suspended sales of disposable barbecues following voluntary guidance from the NFCC.
Official Statements & Responses
Burnham called for the public to exercise “the greatest possible care” when outdoors, highlighting cigarettes and temporary barbecues as fire hazards.
The NFCC confirmed its framework restricting the retail sale of disposable barbecues is being extended and asked retailers to adhere to the guidance.
Firefighters’ union chief Steve Wright described the situation as a “national emergency,” urging swift action.
Labour MP Jon Pearce wrote to major retailers requesting they halt sales of single-use grills for the remainder of the summer.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Prime Minister said: "I don’t know yet what the remedy is but I do want to leave the meeting today with a loud and clear message that we do want people to take the greatest possible care when they are out in the countryside, both in terms of cigarettes but also those temporary barbecues that we know are causing risk of fires.” — The Prime Minister
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No source provides a definitive timeline for any legislative ban, and the extent of the proposed restriction (geographic scope, duration) remains unspecified. While the NFCC framework is being extended, it is unclear whether this will become statutory regulation.
What’s Next
The extended NFCC framework suggests continued pressure on retailers, but a formal decision date has not been set.
