Burnham Considers Disposable BBQ Ban Amid UK Wildfires

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced he will consider banning disposable barbecues to help prevent wildfires as extreme heat continues to grip the United Kingdom. The announcement came during a visit to Stevenage on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, ahead of an emergency Cobra committee meeting he is scheduled to chair later in the day.

The government convened the meeting in response to a prolonged spell of exceptionally hot and dry weather. The UK has experienced five heatwaves this month, with temperatures forecast to reach 33C on Wednesday and up to 38C on Thursday. The Met Office has issued an amber warning for extreme heat across England for Thursday, with the highest temperatures expected in parts of the east, southeast, and Midlands.

"There is obviously a significant problem of wildfires in the south. The New Forest fire is a great concern, we have seen them in northern areas as well as Suffolk recently," Burnham said. He added that many of the wildfires have been created by disposable barbecues and urged the public to stop using them outdoors immediately. "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...