Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service is asking people not to use disposable bbqs too.
A spokesperson for Nottingham City Council said:
‘We’re banning barbeques in all our parks and open spaces including Colwick Country Park to avoid increasing any risk of fire, as the dry spell of weather continues.
‘We’re keen to support our colleagues at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue who continue to have their services stretched currently by the conditions.
‘Signage at our sites is now in place advising residents to ensure they take the extra precaution.’
In recent weeks Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service have attended an unprecedented number of fires in the open, both deliberate and accidental. As the school holidays began this week, the Service is warning parents and young people to take care in open spaces.
Every year Nottinghamshire experiences an increase in grass and undergrowth fires in the dyer months. This year has already seen an exceptional increase in calls. The Fire and Rescue Service has been called to 617 grassfires since April 2022. This is 271 more than the same period in 2021.
Between January and March 2022, the Service attended 109 grassfire calls.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Mick Sharman says “As the school holidays start, we urge parents to speak to your children around the importance of outdoor safety. Grassfires are often caused by deliberate acts or carelessness.
“Why not take a picnic instead of a barbeque? Remember that abandoned glass bottles and cigarettes can ignite vegetation, so take your rubbish home with you. Always obey the local signage in parks, and call 999 if you see a fire or someone in trouble.
“We do take these fires very seriously. They can quickly spread and require a lot of resources and time to extinguish, taking us away from other emergencies.”
