The UK government is considering a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues due to the heightened risk of wildfires amid current drought and heatwave conditions. Officials have warned that these single-use grills pose a "significant risk to the public" in the prevailing dry weather.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has voiced concerns about the nation's preparedness for such incidents, stating that the fire and rescue service is "not properly set up to deal with these incidents" and lacks the necessary capability to fight extensive fires. He emphasized the difficult conditions faced by firefighters and called for the UK to address the "changing climate" by transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
Burnham's remarks followed a visit to Stourbridge, where he witnessed the impact of a severe blaze that led to residents fleeing their homes as fires spread through dry grass and damaged houses. The West Midlands Ambulance Service reported treating 54 casualties across eight fires in the region, with 19 individuals requiring hospitalization.
Environmental group Friends of the Earth urged the prime minister to confront the "root cause" of the "climate emergency," which they believe is fueling extreme weather events. The group warned that without immediate action to reduce carbon emissions, future heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires will intensify, diminishing the capacity of future generations to adapt.
Data from 2025 indicates that fire and rescue services in England and Wales responded to nearly 1,000 wildfire incidents, a record number. At the time, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) cautioned that climate change is increasing the risk and severity of these fires.
The current summer conditions in the UK align with warnings from climate scientists that human-induced climate change is leading to more frequent and intense heatwaves and potential summer droughts. In response to drought conditions, the Rugby Football Union in England has postponed the start of the community rugby season, citing concerns for player welfare and the condition of pitches.