Dorset Council is banning BBQ’s and fires at its Country Parks and on Dorset Council land that is deemed to be a high fire risk. Dorset Council has approached other organisations in Dorset who are also looking to do the same and is leading on a coordinated approach/campaign to address the fire risk problems from BBQ’s (especially disposable) and fires that happened last year.
Indications are that there is likely to be a repeat of the previous year and already there have been a number of large fires in Dorset in 2021.
The joint campaign outputs are as follows:
- Dorset Council have produced signage, banners and leaflets with key messaging designed for land areas where BBQ’s are banned – these are available for other organisations to put up on their land – including Town and Parish Councils.
- The campaign has a webpage on the Dorset Council website listing the many organisations, businesses and landowners who are supporting the joint campaign.
- A map for the web page will illustrate the areas where disposable BBQ’s and campfires are banned across Dorset. This will be used to:
- Show businesses that sell disposable BBQ’s where the high fire risk areas are so they can choose to remove disposable BBQs from sale.
- Show residents and visitors where they are not allowed to have BBQs and campfires.
- Litter Free Dorset, as part of the campaign, is working with supermarkets and shops to:
- Ask them to remove disposable BBQ’s from high risk fire locations, especially express shops
- Or ask them to put up point of sale BBQ safety posters and give out leaflets to those purchasing disposable BBQ’s.
- Urban Heath Partnership are putting out banners and signage specifically for heathland sites in both the BCP and Dorset Council area
- DWFRS are regularly putting in and out the yellow road signs in key road locations when there is high fire risk.
- Other landowners/organisations have put up their own signs with ban BBQ’s and Fires but have also signed up to the campaign – e.g., National Trust at Studland
The campaign is due to be launched on 18 May 2021 – the date a year ago of the devastating Wareham fire. There will be lots of social media throughout the season and people are encouraged to use the #BBQsBurnMoreThanBangers.
Stratton Parish Council urges all users of its own public areas, to be aware of the dangers highlighted above when enjoying village open spaces. Fires in dry spots spread very quickly and can soon get out of control, not only causing immense damage but spoiling and preventing others from using places designated for all to share and enjoy.