Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service is asking people not to have bonfires or barbecues even at home in times of extreme heat, saying the risk of fire spreading out of control is too high.
The service says that if you do choose to have a barbecue or bonfire at home, you should always have a hose and buckets of water readily to hand to extinguish a fire if it spreads to the grass.
It adds that people should also think twice before discarding cigarettes, especially from car windows where you cannot see what might develop.
The advice comes after the service was called to 68 bonfires in July alone.
Since 1st June 2022, disposable barbecues have not been permitted on any sites managed by The Parks Trust.
The fire service asks the public to consider:
- Taking a picnic instead of a barbecue on a day out and to take all rubbish home with you. If you can carry it there, you can carry it home!
- Think twice before discarding cigarettes - ideally extinguish them in water.
- If you must have a barbecue, bonfire, or wood burner, don’t do it on grass because it can easily catch light – and always have buckets of water to hand.
- Put out all embers with water afterwards.
[PICTURE: Bottles left behind by public]