Hot embers from barbecues set light to coastal bins

Friday 20 August 2021

A warning has been sounded by the States about properly disposing of beach barbecues, after "multiple" coastal litter bins were damaged by fire.

Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services is asking islanders to take extra care when extinguishing beach barbecues.

This comes after multiple fires so far this year in coastal litter bins from the hot embers of disposable barbecues. These bins consequently require replacement at public expense.  

A spokesperson for ACLMS said: "Barbecues are only permitted on the North and West coast beaches, excluding the Richmond end of Vazon. No fire is permitted on the nature trails, coastal grasses or cliffs. Open flames around dry vegetation can cause fires to escape and destroy valuable resources, habitats and homes."

Pictured: Permits are needed from the States for beach barbecue of more than 10 people. The application form can be completed HERE.

In order to ensure barbecues are enjoyed safely, people are asked to:

• Only light barbecues on beaches, below the high tide mark, and keep a 4 metre distance from any surrounding dune or grassland vegetation;

• Only light the barbecue after 5pm and in a spot where smoke won't disturb other people;

• It is advised to have a container on hand to collect seawater;

• To safely extinguish a barbecue, embers must be doused in water until they are cold. A good way to tell if the embers are cold enough is that the ash no longer hisses, there is no more smoke and the remnants are cold to the touch;

• The cold remnants must then be disposed of properly, either taken home or put carefully in a litter bin;

• Use water and sand to make sure the area around the barbecue isn't hot and won't hurt other beach users if they step on it. 

Pictured top: The remains of a fire-damaged coastal bin from earlier this week.