The risk is clear - ban the sale of disposable barbecues to protect Dorset's wildlife.

That's the message from Litter Free Dorset as the county experiences another heatwave during what has been an extremely hot, dry summer.

The campaign is redoubling its efforts, calling on all retailers to 'do the right thing' and completely remove disposable BBQs from sale to protect Dorset’s wildlife and open spaces due to the greatly increased risk of fire.

READ MORE: Renewed safety advice after number of large fires in Dorset

Firefighters across Dorset have had to deal with nearly three times as many fires as they did this time last year.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

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In the period from May 1 to July 31 this year, 79 heathland fires were attended by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, up from 41 fires during the same period in 2021.

In the past week alone, crews have been called to several large open-air fires - including several land and heath fires near Blandford Forum, Bridport, Corfe Castle, Upton Heath, Winfrith Newburgh, Weymouth and Piddletrenthide, as well as a number of major residential fires.

Temperatures show no sign of cooling down; just yesterday, an amber weather warning was issued for extreme heat across Dorset from Thursday, August 11 until Sunday, August 14.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

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As the heatwave continues, and the ground is tinder dry after so long without rain, the fire service is urging people not to have any kind of fire outdoors.

DWFRS group manager Jim Weston said: “Last month, we saw a massive spike in fires in the open, up by 182 per cent on July 2021, with 339 fires attended compared to 120 last year. The dry conditions mean even the smallest fire will spread far more quickly than usual, so the safest thing is to avoid the risk entirely wherever possible.”

He added: “This is just as relevant in your garden at home as it is out in the countryside; go to the local recycling centre instead of having a bonfire, have a picnic or cook indoors rather than use a barbecue, don’t have a campfire. Doing things a little bit differently can make all the difference to stopping fires from happening.”

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

READ MORE: Crews tackle large fire near railway at Corfe Castle

A spokesman for Litter Free Dorset said: "This July was the driest in 87 years (and) we are asking all businesses that are still selling disposable BBQs to remove them from sale and for visitors, holidaymakers, and residents across Dorset to stop using them altogether.

“We are happy to see that our campaign to stop the sale of disposable barbecues is gaining momentum, with the announcement over the weekend that Southern Co-op has joined Waitrose, Aldi and M&S by taking the decision to stop selling disposable BBQs.

"We are calling on all retailers to do the right thing for Dorset and stop selling disposable BBQs, to protect Dorset’s heathland and open spaces this summer.

"Not only do they cause a serious fire risk - which has only increased with the hot dry weather we are currently experiencing – but they are unsustainable, contribute to deforestation, and over a million purchased in the UK every year will end up in landfill or incineration.”

Dorset Wildlife Trust chief executive Brian Bleese said the fire service averted a “major disaster” with their quick responses to heath fires but said heath fires can have long-term ecological impacts: “The fire was not fanned by the wind and did not spread as fast as it might have, which is good news.

“However, this can sometimes mean that the fire burns deeper and hotter which can lead to a greater impact on reptiles sheltering in underground burrows.”