UK bans disposable barbecues nationwide and deploys military as wildfires spread

On 14 August 2026, Downing Street imposed a temporary Great Britain-wide ban on disposable barbecue sales and deployed the military to help fight wildfires. At least 19 people were hospitalized in Stourbridge alone amid 37 fires across Britain. Officials said single-use grills had caused "a number of serious wildfires" over the summer. Hot, dry conditions may persist through October.