One-time-use grills have been pulled from shops across Britain as a precaution against escalating wildfire dangers during the current heatwave.
Ministers introduced the sales suspension after warning that these portable cooking devices pose a serious fire risk during periods of intense heat and dryness.
A government announcement confirmed that single-use grills had sparked multiple significant wildfires throughout the country during the summer season. The statement added that these products cannot be deemed safe given the current meteorological and ecological circumstances, and must therefore be unavailable for purchase both in physical outlets and through internet platforms.
Mayor Andy Burnham had suggested earlier in the week that such restrictions might be implemented.
Supermarkets begin clearing inventory
Large chains such as Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op had already commenced taking disposable grills off their shelves after fire brigades issued cautions about heightened wildfire dangers.
Other outlets including Wilko and The Range have similarly started removing these items from their stores and digital storefronts.
Heatwave conditions persist across Britain
The prohibition coincides with most of England remaining under an amber health warning, with thermometers recording 38.1C at Kew Gardens in the capital on Thursday the thirteenth of August.
This represents the second occasion this year that temperatures have climbed to 38C.
The UK Health Security Agency prolonged the amber warning until ten o’clock on Saturday the fifteenth of August for:
East Midlands
West Midlands
South East
South West
London
East of England
All remaining English regions stay under alert until nine o’clock on Friday the fourteenth of August.
The UKHSA cautioned that the severe temperatures could endanger health, especially for susceptible populations.
Authorities are encouraging people to follow basic safety measures, such as:
Avoiding direct sunlight during the warmest part of the day
Maintaining adequate fluid intake
Reaching out to at-risk relatives and acquaintances
Polly Ashmore, acting consultant in public health at the UKHSA, explained that consuming sufficient water, steering clear of the sun during peak heat, and keeping living areas cool represent steps individuals can take to protect themselves and others. She noted that for vulnerable demographics such as elderly people and those with pre-existing medical conditions, elevated temperatures can lead to serious medical situations. Health and social care providers were urged to ensure adequate preparations, while people were encouraged to look in on vulnerable friends and family members to ensure they are aware of the forecast, follow appropriate guidance, and remain safe during this spell of oppressive weather.
The recent heatwave has made 2026 the inaugural year documented with three separate days reaching the 37C mark, and the first to experience four days at 36C or above.
It marks the fifth heatwave of a summer already characterised by intense temperatures, extended periods without rainfall, and drought affecting large swathes of England and Wales.
Wildfire danger stays elevated, with England and Wales already documenting as many outdoor fire incidents this year as throughout the entirety of 2025.
Arid conditions have continued across almost three-quarters of England and the entirety of Wales, after an exceptionally parched July and an equally dry beginning to August.
This has placed mounting pressure on water resources for homes, farming, and natural ecosystems.
English reservoir volumes have fallen to sixty-six percent of total capacity, declining from sixty-nine percent the prior week and approximately fourteen percentage points below the typical average for this period, Environment Agency data shows.