UK faces calls to ban disposable barbecues after wildfire incidents

More than 5,000 people have signed an online petition urging the UK government to prohibit the sale of single‑use disposable barbecues, citing their link to recent wildfires. Campaigner Marissa Pysarczuk argues that even a small spark from such grills can cause significant damage to wildlife, countryside and emergency services.

Incidents prompting the campaign include a grass fire at Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh that required 12 hours of firefighting, and a disposable barbecue that ignited sand dunes at Yellowcraig beach in East Lothian, scorching gorse and sand. Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Ian McMeekin warned that “there is no such thing as a harmless fire.” The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a very high wildfire warning across central, eastern and southern Scotland. The petition will trigger a written government response at 10,000 signatures and may be considered for parliamentary debate at 100,000 signatures.