Urges to ban barbecues as part of Downs goes up in flames

A patch of land was set ablaze on Sunday, with an unattended barbeque cited as the reason.

Firefighters from Avon Fire and Rescue were called out to reports of the Downs being on fire on Sunday.

Teams used two high pressure hose reels to put out the flames that ignited close to the Sea Walls viewing point. A scorched area of 10m by 10m in size remains.

A spokesperson for the service said: “Crews from Temple were called to reports of a grass fire. Firefighters found a grass fire measuring 10m x 10m.”

“Crews used two high pressure hose reels to extinguish the blaze. The cause of the fire is thought to be accidental, due to an unattended BBQ.”

This damage on the Downs was caused by a BBQ fire ?

It’s a reminder of how careful we all need to be right now with the really dry ground. pic.twitter.com/spp8iCn3vJ

— BBC Radio Bristol (@bbcrb) August 7, 2022

Darren Jones, the MP for Bristol North West, posted a statement on Facebook which urged people not to use disposable barbecues on the Downs.

He wrote: “Please remember that BBQs are not allowed to be used on the Downs. Today, the Downs caught fire due to a disposable BBQ – given how dry the grass is at the moment, it could have been a lot worse than it was.

“We could also do with not having to use water unnecessarily at the moment. Please stick to picnics!”

Meanwhile, the Green Party co-leader and Clifton Down councillor is calling for a complete ban on their sale.

Carla Denyer Tweeted: “Single-use BBQs are a terrible idea – for fire risk, carbon footprint, ecological impact & litter.

“A few months ago I signed a letter with Friends of the Downs + Avon Gorge to all supermarkets with branches near the Downs in Bristol asking for the same. Yet to hear back.”

Good.

Single-use BBQs are a terrible idea – for fire risk, carbon footprint, ecological impact & litter.

A few months ago I signed a letter with Friends of the Downs + Avon Gorge to all supermarkets with branches near the Downs in Bristol asking for the same. Yet to hear back. https://t.co/tXIqPtueAN

— Carla Denyer (@carla_denyer) August 3, 2022

Barbecues are not allowed at Troopers Hill and only allowed in certain parts of Brandon Hill and the Downs, according to Bristol City Council. They must be shop-bought, placed on the ground, on legs, watched when alight and cold before disposed of.

Retailers, including Waitrose and Aldi, have announced they will no longer stock disposable barbecues because of the detrimental impact they have on the environment and wildlife. A petition on the UK government website has so far received nearly 20,000 signatures.

The National Fire Chiefs Council has warned UK cities they need to prepare for wildfires after dozens of ‘unprecedented’ blazes broke out during the summer’s record breaking dry weather

Temperatures are set to soar in Bristol again this week, as high as 33C on Friday.

Main photo: Helen Jackson

Read more: Bristol park restoring grassland to fight ‘climate change and biodiversity’

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