AIBU to think heatwave barbecue reactions are starting to feel a bit Covid?

Like Labour had a ‘gathering’?

Neithe does the UK ones. The government guidance says to not leave backyard bbqs unattended but people have decided to just make up 'rules'.

I'm from the nordics (so nor hot and no heatwaves yet) and we also often have wildfire warnings. Those who are campers ot have a fireplace go to a website to see if a warning is in place, if not then fire away. Obviously not everyone follows them cause humans are humans. It is just about being careful and having the necesaary safety gear around.

No, its not "suddenly " dangerous, its been dangerous for weeks. Perhaps if youd spent the past few weeks trying to stop people setting light to your property and literally fire-fighting you might be relieved that the country was finally taking things seriously.

Next door nearly burnt down due to a BBQ (not disposable, nice kettle BBQ in the middle of their garden) in not particularly dry conditions. Issue that day was probably more wind.
So it's always a risk.

I suspect part of it is with the hot weather more people are having BBQs so even if the risk stays the same, the number of fires go up eg if 0.1% (1 in 1000) BBQs start a fire. If normally in a week there are 10k BBQs, that's 10 fires. If it increases to 100K BBQs, that's 100 fires.

I mean I definitely don't think people should be reckless but loads of people seem to be reinterpreting a) recommendations as law and b) the recommendations as vastly more draconian than originally intended.

You've misunderstood the OP.

Haven't used a disposable BBQ for decades, will rush out to panic buy 100 now.

I agree.

Im struggling with people referencing "interpretation"

It was clear "do not undertake any activity that could start a fire" then some examples (not an exhaustive list) like disposable BBQs, firepits etc and a reminder even a small flame could star a wildfire.

A BBQ isnt needed for physical or mental health, it isnt a dietary requirement, you could have people over for sausages from a george foreman, a pan or the oven.

If you want a BBQ and having one could potentially see my home destroyed of course I think youre a dick. In Europe people whod fled their homes had to abandon their cars and run for their lives with their children. If we can minimise that risk here, why wouldnt we? No one thinks it will happen to them but if it happens, it has to happen to someone.

People completing missing what you're saying OP, and so many of these posts actually proving your point!

It's not that the warnings and the situation feel like Covid, it's that people reactions are similar to during Covid with the "bbqs are not essential" "ring 999 if you see someone having a bbq" "can I have a bbq if we do it in the paddling pool and only have one sausage each". Very reminiscent of "just put cheese in your coffee, nobody needs milk" "my neighbour had his mum over to visit today aibu to ring the police as she's not in his bubble?"

It does feel like it.

People reading rules and wondering what is technically allowed. Then there is the judging of people who don't follow their interpretation of rules. And how if their friends did x how they would not be friends anymore. No independent thinking just looking at rules.

Nothing has actually changed in 24h expect that government has informed people to not be stupid. It is equally dry as it was 10am yesterday but because of 'the rules' it ia suddenly dangerous.

Report her to whom?

The one thing good about this drought is that I dont have my house constantly filled with disgusting meat burning smells all summer.

This response exactly proves the OP’s point! 🤣🤣

I can’t imagine why not 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️

can believe someone even asked this.
HOMES ARE BURNING.

DO NOT have that BBQ Op
And while I am no switch I would report you for lighting a BBQ if you were my neighbour. The safety of yourself and your family and preservation of everything you worked for may mean nothing to you but I won’t let you compromise mine.
And if that doesn’t deter you, how do you think social services will respond when they receive the referral from emergency services the next day?

What a shame we can't vote for "you are being unreasonable".

I didn't judge anyone during Covid except the useless government as people were just doing what they needed to get through it.

But I don't want my house burning down. So would I judge any of my neighbours if they increased the possibility of that happening by having an unnecessary bbq because they "want one"?

Too fucking right I would.

It’s the same every summer in most European countries , drive along a major motorway in France and there are signs saying BBQs forbidden - smoking forbidden. People do report to the authorities as it’s dangerous and clearly there for a reason!

Yes in that people here are putting their own interpretation on an instruction and name calling and othering anyone who doesnt follow their interpretation.

It’s been fascinating for me in Australia. Never knew so many people in the UK had BBQs in their gardens.

We regularly have total fire bans in summer because of bushfires but this doesn’t actually include backyard BBQs like many Australians have (in my state at least).

I've never barbecued in my life and have survived perfectly well. There are people acting like their human rights are being breached by not being 'allowed' to barbecue. Jeez, their world won't end if they give it a miss for a week or so - but their world could possibly end if they go ahead and cause a fire that gets out of control.

Nope

The OP is not talking about the restrictions feeling like COVID though - just people's responses to it!

Yes, it feels very much like Covid, though so far I've only seen it on mumsnet. I'm hoping my real-life friends, family and colleagues are less hysterical and capable of understanding what's actually been advised.