When the sun comes out for the first time in the year, us Brits can't wait to fire up our garden barbecues or head out to buy disposable ones to enjoy some al fresco dining.
Bristol is full of places that may seem like the perfect spot to cook up some delicious grub in the sun on a disposable barbecue, but it's worth being aware of the rules around doing so. The majority of Bristol's public parks allow barbecues if they are being used safely.
However, one exception is Troopers Hill Nature Reserve - a great spot to sit and enjoy views out over the city. To protect its wildlife and ensure that wildfires are kept at bay, a byelaw means that using a barbecue on Troopers Hill could see you fined up to £500.
Read more: Parts of Ashton Court Estate closed to protect wildlife
The byelaw came into force in April 2017 and means that barbecues are completely banned at Troopers Hill. The grass there is never cut as a means of helping to make it the perfect home for some wildlife, including bees - 84 species have been recorded, according to Friends of Troopers Hill - but this also means that the area has the potential to lead to enormous fires.
Fires can flare up after the barbecue has finished due to the smouldering of the dry grass and roots underneath - which most often goes unnoticed. Other actions the park asks visitors to take include disposing of cigarette butts safely, not leaving glass bottles and not using Chinese lanterns.
There were two large fires on Troopers Hill in July 2013, spreading from the grassland and, while it wasn't certain whether these were caused by barbecues, the remains of a disposable barbecue had been found in the burnt area. Barbecues are permitted on the adjacent Troopers Hill field, as long as they are on legs so as not to burn the grass.
Bristol City Council's website advises: "Police and Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and council officers check parks and green spaces. If they see someone breaking a byelaw that person will be asked to stop.
"If they continue they might be removed from the area and can be fined up to £500. If you think someone is breaking a byelaw, report it to us."
Today (Wednesday, March 23) the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is urging the public to take precautions after more than 25 wildfires hit the UK last weekend alone.
One of these isn't far from us here in Bristol - just on the border between Somerset and Devon. So far in 2022, more than 70 significant wildfires have happened across England and Wales, showing just how serious of an issue these fires can be, even so early into the year.
Advice from the NFCC
According to NFCC, the dry weather conditions the UK is currently experiencing, combined with strong winds and dead vegetation which has built up over the winter, can lead to spate conditions for such fires – and this makes fighting and controlling wildfires incredibly difficult.
Wildfires often result in sustained and prolonged operations by UK fire and rescue services and other partner agencies. Often, firefighters from across the country will be deployed to deal with just one in a different part of the country, depending on its severity.
This includes specialist equipment, tools and vehicles, as well as national tactical advisers to give expert help and assistance on how to tackle them. As the weather improves and temperatures rise, NFCC is calling on the public to ensure they are not putting our green spaces and natural habitat at risk.
Paul Hedley, NFCC’s wildfire lead points out: “We have seen over 20 wildfires in just one weekend; these can take hold incredibly quickly, destroying land and habitats, while impacting on local communities.
“They also create one of the most challenging incidents for firefighters as they not only battle with the fire itself, but also the weather conditions.
“We want the public to enjoy our wonderful green spaces, but the use of portable barbecues and campfires can be catastrophic for our countryside. Even a poorly discarded cigarette or a glass bottle can spark a wildfire, leading to a major incident.”
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