A TEMPORARY ban on the sale of disposable barbecues has today been imposed by the government in light of the “significant risk to the public” they can cause amid ongoing heatwave conditions.

An increase in wildfires across Cornwall has also been linked to the disposable units, with Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service recently issuing a further plea to locals and holidaymakers to help prevent wildfires from igniting by not dropping cigarettes, leaving glass behind, using barbecues where permitted and never leaving fires unattended.

Incidents have been reported across Cornwall in recent months. Bodmin Community Fire Station issued its own warning to the public about the dangers of being unequipped when having a barbecue in an open place, after crews attended a blaze in the open caused by a disposable barbecue at Tintagel Castle during the morning of Thursday, June 27.

Disposable barbecues have been attributed by The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade as the cause of "a number of serious wildfires across the country over the summer months".

The ban comes hot on the heels of Prime Minister Andy Burnham indicating that he favoured the removal of the items from shelves.

The advice from government posted today said: “During the current drought and heatwave conditions, the government considers that the supply and subsequent foreseeable use of disposable barbecues poses a significant risk to the public, and the environment, and therefore cannot be considered a safe product.

“They should not be made available for supply either in store or online at the current time.

“These guidelines will be kept under review, and will be withdrawn in consultation with relevant departments and agencies, as weather conditions change sufficiently to significantly reduce the risks.”

Figures show around 1,017 wildfires have been recorded in England and Wales so far for 2026.