Barbecues have been banned at Fort Victoria - and warnings have been issued against using them on the Island's beaches and in parks - due to a risk of fire.
With temperatures rising and a local hosepipe ban in place, countryside, parks and gardens across the Island are extremely dry - significantly increasing the risk of fire.
The Isle of Wight Council has placed a temporary ban on the use of the bbq facility at Fort Victoria to minimise the risk of accidental fires there. The council also said that disposable bbqs should also not be used in parks or on beaches.
Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet Member for Environment, said:
“Maintaining the health and welfare of Islanders and visitors is vital during this extended period of hot and dry weather.
“Please avoid using disposable barbecues or lighting bonfires while the ground is so dry! We’ve seen a lot of fires in the last couple of weeks that could have been avoided, that have put pressure on our local fire services and caused significant damage to local areas.”
Disposable barbecues are considered a particularly high-risk item as they are often placed directly onto flammable dry grass or sometimes disposed of unsafely. This can also cause fires in bins or refuse collection vehicles.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service Group Manager for the Isle of Wight, Jeff Walls, said:
“Lots of us are currently enjoying the warmer weather, however these conditions increase the risk of wildfires across the Isle of Wight.
“Our crews have already been busy this summer tackling fires involving large parts of our countryside, fires which could easily be avoided.
“Barbecues, campfires and inappropriately discarded rubbish can spark wildfires that spread rapidly, causing huge amounts of damage, so we all need to do our bit and protect our wildlife.”
There are a number of ways that those spending time in the countryside can help reduce the risk of a wildfire:
- Pack a picnic instead of using a disposable barbecue
- Clear away bottles, glasses and any broken glass to avoid them magnifying the sun and starting a fire
- Do not discard cigarettes in the countryside; dispose of smoking materials properly and make sure they are completely extinguished
- Anyone coming across a fire in the countryside should dial 999 and give an exact location, if possible by using What3Words
If using barbecues at home, ensure coals and ash are completely cold before being disposed of to avoid any risk of bin or refuse collection vehicle fires. Fires also release large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere which contribute to climate change.
Four Men Arrested Following Rogue Trader Activities In East Cowes
Rugby Players Set To Scale Great Heights For Teddy
Drug Driving, Domestic Abuse And Stalking Among Arrests Made As Police Target Isle Of Wight Criminals
Work Begins On ‘Monumental’ Mural Project At Historic Columbine Building
More Acts Added To Isle Of Wight Festival Line-Up
St Mary’s Vaccination Hub Gets Ready For Spring Covid-19 Vaccinations
Twenty Isle Of Wight Pubs Under Threat As Stonegate Issues Profit Warning
Fundraiser Launched As Kezi's Kindness Founder Diagnosed With Incurable Cancer
Bon Voyage — White-Tailed Eagle Soars To France
Goddards Brewery Scoops Four Top Industry Awards At International Competition
Briddlesford Road Crash Results In Two Injured
Isle Of Wight MP Extolls Virtues Of Joint Emergency Service Officers For Isle Of Wight
Island Labour Announces Parliamentary Candidates As Quigley Vows To 'Take Fight' To Bob Seely
Can You Help Police To Identify Man Linked To Waitrose Theft?
Ryde Town Council In Crackdown On Dog Fouling
Former Patient Opens New Intensive Care Unit
Isle Of Wight Primary School Place Allocations Announced For September
The Rules Islanders Need To Know For Police And Crime Commissioner Election Postal Voting
Family Pays Tribute To Paul Hart Following Fatal Newport Collision
Teenager Sentenced For Planning Isle Of Wight Festival Terrorist Attack
