The land is dry, and the people are ...stupid?

No, I think it is symptomatic of the attitude that some people seem to have now that everything has to revolve around them - even something like a barbecue which, in the grand scheme of things, matters very little. As you say, with the way things are at the moment, anything which can be done to minimise the risk of fires has to be a good thing.

I suppose this is why the alert message yesterday was necessary.
The fire and rescue service must have known that people will talk themselves out of taking precautions that do not suit them, and wanted the Govt. to make things clear to everybody.

It isn’t backyard barbecues that are dangerous, just the awful disposable ones which often result in wildfires and also people getting burned.
Most fires are started deliberately but we can also do without those caused by discarded BBQ’s as well.

The land is dry and the people are stupid…sounds a bit biblical.

We are BBQ’ing this evening.

We have a gas BBQ, it is situated on our patio away from fences, shrubbery and trees. Just as safe as cooking in the kitchen.

I am more concerned about the smokers flicking their cigarettes out of car windows, or the idiots who leave bottles on verges or beside bins which can concentrate the heat and ignite whatever is nearby.

(No burnt sausages or co-op burgers here by the way)

They should also ban the use of portable barbecues for the same time as these used on picnics and camping trips could easily cause a fire.

Open fire of any sort has been banned at our country park and all other local parks since the beginning of July.

All BBQ's have been banned on the holiday park where we are GrannyGravy.

I would have thought anything we can do to minimise the risk is worthwhile. Or am I being over dramatic?

My neighbour, with whom I get on with very well, is rather fanatical about keeping his block-paved driveway clear of weeds. To that end, he has a weed burner. At certain points his driveway abuts my large front lawn. There are shrubs under my front window adjoining the lawn. I park my old petrol car on the drive next to the lawn. Next to that is my beloved 150 year old oak tree which is a magnet for wildlife.

I was sitting in my living room reading, with the windows wide open, when I could hear the intermittent whooshing sound and smell from the burner. I went outside to find him burning off what weeds have managed to survive in this heat. I noticed orange sparks smouldering at the edge of my bone-dry lawn over an area of about 30 cm x 20 cm.

By this time he had moved to a different part of his drive and had his back to where the sparks were glowing. I stamped them out and got a bucket of water to throw over them.

He apologised profusely and said he hadn’t been thinking.

Meantime, I was thinking what if I hadn’t noticed what he was doing? What if I has been busy somewhere else in the house? What if those sparks had caught? What if the fire had quickly spread across my lawn to the shrubs under the window and flames had caught the curtains at my open windows? What if my car had caught light causing a petrol explosion? What if my old oak tree and all the life it sustains had been destroyed?

It isn’t only BBQs or cigarette discarders we need to worry about but anyone with a flame.

I think bbqs have been banned since the beginning of the summer here

What is wrong with meeting up for a picnic? Rather than a bbq? Or youngsters just getting a McDonald’s or similar and taking their rubbish home?

Disposable bbqs are quite limiting anyway

I live in NW London and apparently clowns were setting off fireworks. I suppose the advice doesn't affect them, only others. No harm was done, but that is not the point and I think they were lucky.

No! You are not being “over dramatic”

You are being completely sensible and responsible.

I cannot print how I feel about the ones moaning about it, I’d be banned forever!

Charleygirl5

I live in NW London and apparently clowns were setting off fireworks. I suppose the advice doesn't affect them, only others. No harm was done, but that is not the point and I think they were lucky.

You can’t educate pork..🐷🐷🐷🐷

I honestly think that some people - perhaps especially teen boys - will do daft things precisely BECAUSE they’ve been told not to.

No you are not being dramatic, people’s houses are being destroyed, large areas of scenic beauty together with precious wildlife are being decimated, and firefighters lives are being put on the line, just as ordinary people’s lives are being put at risk.
Was glad we had that phone alert but fear the target audience will just continue being stupid.

There's a craze where I live to have end of term BBQs and to burn school work in my local park.
I've seen a few mini fires .
Now in a draught-it's so dangerous .

And - 400 years on from the Gunpowder Plot - there's absolutely no reason for fireworks. For any occasion.

Oreo

It isn’t backyard barbecues that are dangerous, just the awful disposable ones which often result in wildfires and also people getting burned.
Most fires are started deliberately but we can also do without those caused by discarded BBQ’s as well.

& people dragging them into tents to keep warm when it’s cooler, Carbon monoxide!
Should be banned permanently- me thinks .

Shinamae

Charleygirl5

I live in NW London and apparently clowns were setting off fireworks. I suppose the advice doesn't affect them, only others. No harm was done, but that is not the point and I think they were lucky.

You can’t educate pork..🐷🐷🐷🐷

I always say you can’t educate Sam

What is the matter with opening an oven door, sticking a few burgers and sausages on a baking tray and cooking them that way?

Perhaps barbequing needs to be a bit less popular for a while, whether it is done by disposable barbecue or permanent ones.

Desdemona

What is the matter with opening an oven door, sticking a few burgers and sausages on a baking tray and cooking them that way?

Perhaps barbequing needs to be a bit less popular for a while, whether it is done by disposable barbecue or permanent ones.

I agree. Any kind of outside fire should be a no no, a flying spark from a bbq in the garden could start a large fire when the ground is parched and grass and trees like tinder.
Have a picnic or as you say stick the chicken legs and burgers in the oven, will cook better anyway.

Charleygirl5
I think you will find the fireworks were let off bythe Pakistani community to celebrate independence from Britain. Lots to think about here, not least the fact that we had just been warned about the dangers of barbecues etc. I thought there were laws against fireworks after midnight, but government gave approval, so that's alright then.

I’ve just read a post on MN where the OP became ill last evening after eating a Morrisons burger that her husband cooked on the BBQ and it was pink in the middle. She thinks she should get compensation from Morrisons for being ill! Personally, given the current drought and everywhere being tinder dry and people are being discouraged from lighting a BBQ……..I think her and her OH were irresponsible for having one at all! Sorry luv, don’t ask for sympathy when you behave like a self important moron!

We had a near miss on our village last afternoon/ evening. Someone had a bonfire which caught surrounding area. Fortunately, the fire team were there quickly.