All barbeques have been temporarily banned at country parks across Swindon but residents want this to be made permanent.
On Thursday, August 13, Swindon Borough Council announced that it would be suspending the use of all barbeques at its country parks, after multiple fires in the last month during the hot weather.
Before the ban, disposable barbeques were not permitted but bookable barbeques were allowed in designated areas of Coate Water, Lydiard Park and Stanton Park.
The temporary suspension has been welcomed by residents. Now, dogwalkers are calling for it to be permanent, over fears that it'll only get hotter.
One resident has described Coate Water Country Park as "basically a tinderbox", while another nearby dog walker says she is "worried sick."
"I go there every day with our dogs and with these dry weeks, they should really ban them completely every summer," one resident, who does not wish to be named, told the Adver.
"People have ripped all the signs down and they tip their hot ashes out on the side and we're worried sick.
"On Saturday, when I drove past they were all going in the evening, when the wardens have all gone home.
"We have seen benches burnt up there and everything. It's just waiting for an accident to happen.
"Last year they were even setting it up on the golf course. It's just getting out of control."
The concern follows a recent incident on August 11, when Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to Coate Water to tackle a fire, with damage left behind by a disposable barbecue and a campfire.
Another resident, Jojo, said: "This is becoming a regular occurrence at Coate Water during late evenings by few selfish families.
"It’s just a matter of time before there's a wildfire at Coate Water.
"It’s basically a tinder box now."
A notice on the council's website confirms that upcoming barbecue bookings will be refunded, in light of the new temporary ban.
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A spokesperson for Swindon Borough Council added: "Following the recent hot and dry conditions, and a number of fires at Coate Water, we’re suspending the use of all barbecues at all of our country parks.
"This includes disposable barbecues (which were already banned at the parks) but also bookable barbecues at Lydiard and Coate Water as well as the fire pit at Stanton Park.
"If you have an upcoming booking impacted by the suspension, you will be contacted and this will be refunded.
"You can help reduce the risk of fires by extinguishing cigarettes properly and never discarding them on dry grass, taking litter home or using bins provided, as discarded glass and rubbish can start fires."
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