Disposable BBQs removed from supermarket shelves amid UK wildfire risk

Disposable barbecues are being withdrawn from sale across much of the UK retail sector as tinder-dry landscapes and soaring temperatures raise the likelihood of wildfires. The move follows mounting warnings from fire services that a short spark can now ignite fast-moving blazes in grasslands, moorlands and urban fringes.

Supermarkets including Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Co-op have paused sales, with non-grocery retailers such as Wilko and The Range also removing stock from stores and websites. Several chains say they are acting in line with voluntary guidance from the National Fire Chiefs Council to suspend sales through 12 August, subject to review as conditions change.

A number of retailers had already stepped away from the product entirely: Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose and M&S stopped selling disposable barbecues in 2022. For those still carrying them, the current halt is being described as a precautionary, time-limited measure prompted by heat and drought.

Why retailers are hitting pause

Fire services report that prolonged dry spells have left vegetation exceptionally flammable. Even a small ember can travel on the wind and set alight parched grass, peat or scrub. In recent days, firefighters have tackled notable incidents at Dunwich in Suffolk and across parts of the Rhondda Valley in Wales.

Major chains say they are aligning with a voluntary code developed with industry bodies and fire chiefs that discourages the sale of disposable barbecues during high-risk periods. Several supermarkets confirmed the products have been removed both in-store and online while the guidance is in force.

Rising pressure on fire services

Wildfires are placing sustained strain on crews nationwide, with more than 700 incidents already recorded in England and Wales this year. The combination of desiccated vegetation, low humidity and gusty winds can turn a small ignition into a fast-moving front, stretching capacity and putting nearby homes, infrastructure and wildlife at risk.

Climate backdrop and calls for longer-term action

Policymakers and emergency planners warn that Britain’s hot, dry spells are becoming more frequent and intense. Jon Pearce, the MP for High Peak in Derbyshire, welcomed the retailer-led pause and urged smaller shops to follow suit. He argued that last summer’s wildfire season was exceptionally severe and cautioned that this year could be worse if conditions persist.

Pearce is pressing for stronger measures, including a ban on disposable barbecues in public spaces and earlier government action ahead of future summers. He said retailers have moved quickly this season, but that the UK needs to adapt more broadly to a changed climate and plan now for the risks that come with hotter, drier weather.

How wildfires start

Warmer weather alone does not cause a wildfire. Three elements must align:

• Fuel: dry grass, heather, bracken, leaf litter or peat that can ignite and carry flames
• Weather: heat, low humidity and wind that dries vegetation and spreads embers
• Ignition: a spark from lightning or human activity

In the UK, many wildfires are triggered by people—sometimes deliberately, but often through carelessness: smouldering cigarettes, unattended campfires, hot disposable barbecues placed on grass, or glass and metal that concentrate sunlight. On desiccated ground, a brief lapse can escalate quickly.

Public guidance during high-risk periods

• Avoid using disposable barbecues in parks, nature reserves, moorlands and beaches with dry dunes.
• Never light fires or barbecues on or near peat, heather or parched grass; only use designated, permanent facilities where permitted.
• Extinguish smoking materials completely and take all litter home—especially glass and metal.
• If you see an unattended fire or smoke, move to a safe location and call 999 immediately, giving clear details of the location and conditions.
• Follow local fire service and land manager advisories, including access restrictions during extreme risk.

What happens next

Retailers indicate the pause on disposable barbecues is temporary and will be reassessed as weather patterns shift and vegetation recovers moisture. Fire chiefs continue to urge caution and personal responsibility: while heat increases vulnerability, it is often a single preventable spark that turns a dry afternoon into a major incident.