BBQ Campaign

Bring A Picnic Not A BBQ is a campaign to remind people that BBQs are illegal on heathlands.

​The Dorset Heaths Partnership (DHP), Litter Free Dorset (LFD) and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) have been working together to campaign to prevent wildfire.

​Heathlands, unfortunately, are often misused, and incidents of wildfire – whether deliberate or accidental – are becoming more common. On average, Dorset is subject to 107 heathland and forest wildfires a year, a high proportion of these can be attributed to a heathland barbecue gone wrong.

Dorset Council recently issued Extended Public Spaces Protection Orders which prohibit the lighting of fires – including barbecues – on areas of open land across large parts of Dorset. In light of this, Litter Free Dorset and Dorset Council have issued a joint letter to major retailers urging them to stop selling single-use barbecues, which pose a serious threat to public safety and the natural environment.

Wildfire incidents are increasing due to hotter temperatures, stronger winds, and more extreme weather events, and single-use barbecues have already resulted in some fires across Dorset with devastating environmental, social, and economic impact. From January to July this year, Dorset Heaths has already recorded 55 incidents of fire, affecting 27 heaths and burning an area of over 65 hectares. This represents a 41% increase in fire incidents compared to 2024 and as a result, we need to take steps to remove some of the root causes of wildfire.

If you’d like to help, you can ask your local retailer to stop selling disposable BBQs by downloading this letter to give to them. Let us know how you get on!

Litter Free Dorset

​Litter Free Dorset (LFD) is made up of a group of local organisations, charities and community groups which all work together to reduce the social, economic and environmental impacts of litter. This is done by trying to stop littering behaviour in the first place through co-producing policy, projects and campaigns.