UK bans disposable barbecues as wildfire alert issued across England and Wales
Government warns against fire risks as reservoir levels fall to 66% and heatwave continues
Trust 74Craft 80Hype 30How this was reported ▾
Trust score 74 due to named sources, official statements, specific figures and timing, but only one independent outlet.
How well corroborated and evidenced the reporting is. Higher is better.
Critic score 80 reflects clear facts, quotes and specifics, but the piece reads like a press release.
Context, balance and separation of fact from comment. Higher is better.
Hype score 30 indicates mild emphasis but no clickbait or exaggerated claims.
How far presentation runs ahead of substance. Lower is better.
3 sources assessed · methodology
The UK Government issued an emergency alert to mobile phones across England and Wales at 7pm on 14 August, warning of a serious wildfire risk. The alert instructed residents not to use disposable barbecues, fire pits, garden incinerators or fireworks. It also urged people to call 999 immediately if they spot a fire.
The alert followed a government ban on the sale of disposable barbecues, which took effect earlier the same day. A government statement said the grills had caused multiple serious wildfires during the summer and could no longer be considered safe in current weather conditions. Prime Minister Andy Burnham had signalled the possibility of a ban earlier in the week.
Enfield Town Liveable Neighbourhood scheme paused pending review
Transport for London funding for next phase is on hold as council re-evaluates project elements.
Retailers remove disposable barbecues from shelves
Major supermarkets including Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Co-op had already begun removing disposable barbecues from their shelves before the ban was announced. Wilko and The Range also pulled the products from stores and online. Fire services had warned of the increased wildfire risk posed by the grills in hot, dry conditions.
Heatwave and drought conditions persist
London Marathon expands to two days in 2027
Organisers expect 100,000 participants for the expanded event running on April 24 and 25.
Temperatures reached 38.1°C at Kew Gardens in London on 13 August, the second time this year the UK has recorded such high temperatures. The UK Health Security Agency extended an amber heat health alert until 10am on 15 August for London, the East and West Midlands, South East, South West and East of England. Other regions remain under alert until 9pm on 14 August.
Polly Ashmore, acting consultant in public health at the UKHSA, advised residents to stay hydrated, avoid the sun during peak hours and keep indoor spaces cool. She warned that vulnerable groups, including older adults and those with existing health conditions, faced serious health risks from the extreme heat.
Drought conditions have affected nearly three-quarters of England and all of Wales, following a record dry July and a similarly dry start to August. Reservoir levels in England fell to 66% capacity, down from 69% the previous week, according to the Environment Agency. The agency said this was nearly 14 percentage points below the long-term average for mid-August.
England and Wales have already recorded as many wildfires in 2026 as in the whole of 2025. The ongoing heatwave is the fifth of the summer, with 2026 marking the first year on record with three separate days reaching 37°C and four days at 36°C or higher.
“For vulnerable groups including older adults and those with existing health conditions, warmer weather can result in serious health outcomes.”
Polly Ashmore, acting consultant in public health at the UK Health Security Agency
What happens next
The amber heat health alert for London and five other English regions remains in place until 10am on 15 August. The UKHSA has not indicated whether further extensions will be necessary. The government’s ban on disposable barbecues will remain in effect for the duration of the current wildfire risk, though no end date has been specified.
Residents are advised to follow the emergency alert guidance and avoid any activities that could start fires. The UKHSA continues to urge people to check on vulnerable neighbours and family members during the heatwave.
Questions this report answers
+What did the UK Government’s emergency alert say?
The alert warned residents not to use disposable barbecues, fire pits, garden incinerators or fireworks due to a serious wildfire risk. It instructed people to call 999 if they spot a fire. The alert was sent to mobile phones across England and Wales at 7pm on 14 August.
+Why were disposable barbecues banned?
The UK Government banned disposable barbecues on 14 August because they have caused multiple serious wildfires during the summer. The government stated the grills could not be considered safe in current hot, dry conditions. Major retailers had already begun removing them from shelves.
+How long will the heat health alert last?
The amber heat health alert for London and five other English regions is in place until 10am on 15 August. Other regions in England remain under alert until 9pm on 14 August. The UK Health Security Agency has not indicated whether further extensions will be necessary.
+What are reservoir levels in England?
Reservoir levels in England fell to 66% capacity in mid-August, down from 69% the previous week. This is nearly 14 percentage points below the long-term average for this time of year, according to the Environment Agency.
Barnet Press News Desk
This article was written at the Barnet Press news desk from the reporting of the outlets listed below it. Drafting is done by a language model under human editorial supervision — there is no reporter behind this byline, and we would rather say so than invent one.
How stories are produced and scoredWho runs Barnet PressCorrections
Barnet conditions
Loading live conditions…
More Coverage in World
Enfield Town Liveable Neighbourhood scheme paused pending review
London Marathon expands to two days in 2027
Patients face delayed diagnoses as NHS advice system draws criticism
