UK Bans Disposable BBQs and Deploys Military to Fight Wildfires

Britain has temporarily banned disposable barbecues from sale after the government warned they pose a significant risk to the public during the ongoing drought and heatwave. Disposable grills have been blamed for causing a number of serious wildfires across the country this summer, prompting an emergency Cobra meeting earlier this week. A national emergency alert was also sent to millions of phones urging people to avoid lighting any open fires and to dispose of cigarettes carefully.

Military Deployed to Battle Blazes

As part of the response, 200 military personnel have been deployed to assist fire services across England and Wales. Gurkha logistics teams equipped with water tankers are operating in South Wales, while military engineers are supporting crews elsewhere. Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed more soldiers would be deployed if the situation required it. He described the country as being like a tinderbox amid the ongoing heatwave.

Scale of the Wildfire Crisis

The National Fire Chiefs Council reported that 1,017 wildfires had been recorded in England and Wales so far this year, matching last year's record total. Fire crews across the two countries fought multiple blazes on Friday, including a major incident near Llandovery in Wales and a persistent fire in the New Forest in Hampshire, now in its sixth day. Many retailers had already voluntarily withdrawn single-use barbecues from sale before the formal ban was announced.