AN INTERACTIVE map has been created showing all the locations in Dorset where disposable barbecues are banned.

Dorset Council has created an interactive map of high risk fire areas across the county where disposable barbecues and campfires are banned.

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The decision to ban disposable barbecues follows last year's devastating Wareham Forest fire, where an area the size of 230 football pitches was destroyed in a blaze.

The incident was believed to have been started by a discarded disposable barbecue and was described as 'one of the most devastating fires in Dorset, in living memory' by a senior officer in the fire service.

The council has joined forces with Litter Free Dorset, Urban Health Partnership and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) to spread the message of the dangers of disposable barbecues and to discourage residents and visitors from using them, following a multiagency meeting earlier this year.

A spokesman for Dorset Council said: "Dorset Council is banning barbecues and fires at all of our country parks, and on Dorset Council land that is deemed to be a high fire risk.

"We have been in touch with others in Dorset who are looking to do the same, and after a multiagency meeting in April 2021, we are leading on a coordinated campaign to address the wildfire risk from barbecues (especially disposable) and fires."

As part of the campaign, Litter Free Dorset is working with shops and supermarkets to encourage them to remove disposable barbecues from high risk fire areas, and, in May, Tesco confirmed they were banning the sale of the so-called 'forest friendly' disposable barbecues in all its Dorset stores.

Urban Health Partnership is putting our large banners and signs at the protected heathland sites across the Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council areas, stating it is illegal to have barbecues on heathland.

DWFRS is regularly putting out yellow road signs saying 'no barbecues or fires' along key road networks when there is a high fire risk in the area.

To view the interactive map and for a full list of organisations backing the Dorset Council campaign, visit our website.

The following organisations are backing the campaign and have banned the use of barbecues in some of their areas:

  • The National Trust ban the use of BBQs and fires at Studland Bay
  • Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
  • Swanage Town Council ban the use of BBQs in their parks and beaches
  • Gillingham Town Council bans the use of BBQs in their parks and grounds
  • Bridport Town Council ban the use of BBQs on their land
  • Lytchett Minsters and Upton Town Council ban the use of BBQs on their land
  • Shipton Gorge Parish Council ban the use of BBQs on their land
  • Chickerell Town Council ban the use of BBQs on their land
  • Lytchett Matravers Parish Council ban the use of BBQs on their land
  • Ferndown Town Council ban the use of BBQs on their land
  • Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are supporting the ban across their area
  • Forestry England
  • RSPB
  • Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  • Visit Dorset
  • New Forest National Parks Authority
  • Lulworth Estate
  • AffPuddle and Turnerpuddle Parish Council
  • Dorchester Town Council
  • Sturminster Newton Parish Council
  • West Moors Town Council
  • Verwood Town Council
  • Bradpole Parish Council
  • Verwood Town Council
  • St Leonards Parish Council
  • Wareham Martin Parish Council