Shaun Milton, group manager at Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said crews were expecting to have dealt with 1,000 fires by the end of the summer, matching last year’s total.
Join our new WhatsApp channel: The Morning Round-Up
Get the biggest pub trade stories straight to your phone. Listen to our one-minute daily news briefing and receive breaking news, exclusives and sector updates throughout the day. Remember to turn notifications on in the top right corner!
He warned the number of wildfire incidents across Dorset and Wiltshire was becoming “exponential”, with most caused by some level of human intervention.
Milton said: “People going out to enjoy the beautiful countryside we have here are taking disposable barbecues. I’d certainly challenge anybody to say whether they’ve ever had a good meal from a disposable barbecue.
“I’d certainly suggest, rather than doing that, go to some of the local pubs or restaurants, or bring a picnic instead.”
Wildfire risk
The warning comes after historic pub with rooms, the Ship at Dunwich, has been forced to close while firefighters continued to tackle a major wildfire at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk.
More than half of England has entered drought, while the Environment Agency has warned central, eastern and southern England are experiencing a “flash drought”, with low river levels, early crop harvesting and increased wildfire risk.
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service also warned that disposable barbecues, glass bottles, cigarettes and cars parked on long grass could all start fires due to the dryness of vegetation.
Donna Potts, from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are certainly not saying stay home and don’t go out, but please don’t take disposable barbecues. They stay hot for far too long and they start fires very easily.”
She also urged people to take litter home and keep vehicles away from long grass, warning hot exhausts could be enough to start a fire.
Extreme heat
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said July had been its busiest month for emergency calls in the past 10 years.
The service tackled 472 outdoor fires during the month, which made up two thirds of total fires across Devon and Somerset.
The warnings come as hospitality operators continue to adapt to extreme weather, with previous research showing bookings fell 48% during recent heatwaves, while covers dropped 19% and walk ins decreased 11%.
Pubs have also been forced to close kitchens, cancel events and adjust opening hours during periods of extreme heat to protect staff and maintain service standards.
