RETAILERS in Dorset are being asked to no longer sell disposable barbeques in the wake of several fires.

As another hot and dry summer hits the county, Litter Free Dorset is once again calling on businesses to remove single-use barbeques from their shelves in a bid to save the environment and stop the risk of fires.

Wildfire incidents are becoming increasingly more common in the county.

Just this week, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service battled four heathland blazes in Purbeck – one lasting four days.

And heathland across Dorset has seen 55 incidents of fire, affecting 27 heaths and burning an area of over 65 hectares since January of this year.

This represents a 41% increase in fire incidents compared to 2024.

This also comes after 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.

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Sophie Clegg, Dorset Heaths monitoring warden said: “In comparison to last year, there have not only been more heath fires attended by the fire service, but the impact of fire has been more widespread, with nearly twice as many heaths affected by fire.

“The conditions this year have also caused many of the fires to become much bigger, resulting in nearly eight times more heathland habitat burned in comparison to this time last year.”

Some retailers have already taken the step to remove single-use barbecues from sale.

This includes: Waitrose, M&S, Southern Co-op, Lidl GB, Aldi, Poundbury Gardens, Birchwood Tourist Park, Budgens Swanage, Herston Yards Farm, Haskins, Goulds, Burnbake Campsite, Winfrith Village Stores, and more.

In response to the campaign, a Lidl GB spokesperson said: “At Lidl GB, we take our environmental responsibilities seriously and are committed to supporting efforts to protect the country’s natural landscapes.

“We can confirm that we do not sell disposable barbecues and have not done so for several years.”

Emma Teasdale at Litter Free Dorset said: “Single-use barbecues pose a grave danger to Dorset’s natural environment and wildlife.

“They are impossible to recycle, incredibly wasteful, and often abandoned while still hot, leading to fires and injuries.

“We’re asking retailers to lead by example, and customers to choose a picnic instead—it’s safer, cleaner, and better for the planet.”

Consumers can take their own action by choosing reusable alternatives and urging their local shops to stop selling single-use barbecues.

For more information about Litter Free Dorset’s campaigns and projects, or to download your own campaign posters, visit www.litterfreedorset.co.uk.