People risk being fined if they light campfires or use barbecues or fireworks across many areas of Dorset, it was warned today.

It comes after a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) came into force preventing certain activities.

Dorset Council and others are working together to ensure that all visitors are aware of the new law and the reasons for it. Anyone found to be breaking the new restrictions will be liable for a £100 fine and all banned items will be confiscated. New signs have gone up where the PSPO applies.

All affected areas covered by the ban can be seen at https://explorer.geowessex.com/cside/nobbq

Over the last two years there have also been a series of injuries and safety concerns caused by disposable barbecues used along the coastline and in public spaces.

Just over two years ago 220 hectares of heath and forest was destroyed by a wildfire at Wareham Forest. Started by discarded disposable barbecues, the fire blazed for three weeks and took 150 firefighters and 4 million litres of water to extinguish. It will take decades for the area to regenerate.

Dorset Council is working with Forestry England and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire service to protect countryside area including heathlands, forests, and coastlines from the devastation that unattended naked flames can cause.

Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture, Communities and Customer Services, said: “There is no reason to start a fire on a heathland or in a forest. They can get out of control very quickly, destroy important habitats and kill many species of animals and plants. If you must eat, take a sandwich, and bring the packaging home with you.”

Mark Warn, Wildlife Ranger for Forestry England in Dorset, said: “Dorset is a special place, its heathlands and forests are a real haven for wildlife. They are home to some of the UK’s rarest wildlife and are outstanding places to visit and connect with nature. Let’s keep them this way by not lighting fires or barbecues and bringing a picnic instead”.

Group Manager Charlie Pack, of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Fire can spread with devastating speed and, every year, we see large areas of our beautiful countryside destroyed. In far too many cases, this is down to people not taking care with campfires or barbecues. We can all play our part in protecting our heathlands and open spaces, so we are urging people to #BringAPicnicNotABBQ when out and about, and to avoid doing anything involving naked flame.”

Litter Free Dorset are continuing their campaign for businesses to choose to remove disposable barbecues from sale and to encourage people not to use disposable barbecues. Find out more at www.litterfreedorset.co.uk/projects-campaigns/disposable-bbqs/

All the agencies are encouraging people to take a picnic not a barbecue this year and to take rubbish home.

Further information on the PSPO for fires on open land can be found at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/anti-social-behaviour/public-space-protection-orders-for-anti-social-behaviour