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

We yes, but in the Cairngorms those without half a brain cell can have their fires and bbqs (outside of private gardens) put out and get fined.

Therein lies the problem. Because the preaching and many of the roolz imposed by Saint Boris and his merry men in 2020 were so utterly nonsensical "masks are worse than useless, but they are compulsory when it suits us", and then Johnson proved that he knew that the roolz were rubbish by partying, some people will not take further government dictats seriously. I said it at the time: deliberately frightening the pants off the public was a very bad move, and would backfire later, and the government would have less moral high ground for a future emergency. I was told to shut up, put my mask back on, and stop murdering grannies.

And yes, the frustrated and unemployed Covid marshals are delighted to have something to moralise about.

Yes, fire is a very real risk, I do not doubt that, and I would be angry if I saw somebody starting a fire, and these "roolz" do not have devastating consequences, unlike the much-hallowed lockdowns, which caused massive and lasting damage, and still nobody will admit this. If infantilising and insulting is overdone, the message can be lost among the noise. We are being preached at from all sides, every day, with many things: don't use plastic straws, don't buy new to save the planet, do buy new to save the economy, don't flush the toilet, do flush the toilet, mind the gap, watch your speed...

It's interesting to note the similarities in the messaging with Covid, and the eclipse. In 1999, the papers were full of moralising pics of families wearing the eclipse glasses. In 2020, the papers were full of pics of people all masked up (and allegedly, Johnson's own behavioural squad showed him pictures of world leaders wearing masks, to persuade him to wear one, when he was reluctant). Similarly, the word "flocking", which implies disapproval.
1999: Millions will be "flocking" to Cornwall to see the eclipse. Don't go, you'll be stuck in the gridlock.
2020: Millions are "flocking" to the beaches, when they should be cowering at home, waiting for their guardian angel Boris de Gabriel Johnson to appear on the screen.

Not the exception. There is no rule restricting the use of garden BBQs. This is because, unlike a disposable BBQ, a reusable garden barbeque, especially a gas one, is not a high fire risk so there is no need to restrict their use.

Good Grief!

And those fires in Greece were started by? You common bbq at home? Nope

Nobody is arguing that we need to be very careful about fires. Nobody is arguing fur disposable BBQs.
But the PM has never said no one should have a bbq in their garden. Ther garden. Not next to grassland, bracken etc…. Their garden.

Everybody thinks they’re the exception 🙄

I live in a regular residential area in the scorching SE. My gas barbeque, sited on a large stone patio, well away from anything flammable, used safely and never left unattended is a low fire risk, perfectly safe and I'll continue to use it.

Might be a moot point anyway, I think we finally have rain forecast next week.

Nope, I'll continue to safely use my responsibly sited, low fire risk, gas garden BBQ. No reason not to. Of course, I'm not going to undertake any high fire risk behaviour, such as using a disposible BBQ, since that would be both against the law and irresponsible.

You obviously dont live in a really hot area or next to trees and bush and grassland, its not just houses destroyed and people maybe killed but animals and insects and birds and foxes cats dogs, the wild fires in Greece kill animals and livestock.and displaced cats and dogs who were then rounded up after by a charity,

A bbq isn't essential and you're not gonna die if you don't have one for a bit. You might if someone has one and a spark ignites the dead grass and then everyones houses though.

Interestingly, it accords with my own brain. Literally staring out at my brown garden.

Yeah well I asked a ouija board.

I went to a BBQ in a country park on Wednesday. TBH, I was surprised it was allowed and actually went ahead. All the fields there are dry and yellow.

And that's fine if that's how you feel. I've not seen anyone trying to force you to have a BBQ. It's entirely optional.

I will, however, continue to safely and responsibly use my low fire risk gas BBQ in my garden.

I asked AI if I could use my home bbq at the moment (in my area of the UK) and it said:

In , you can legally use your reusable bone/bowl barbecue in your private garden, but emergency services are urging extreme caution due to a Severe National Wildfire Alert. 1]
Local fire crews are currently stretched thin, dealing with major incidents like a severe fire at While home barbecues are not banned, the local environment is incredibly dry, and even a tiny stray spark could start a major blaze. 1, 2]

It has my sentiment! My burgers can wait.

It's really not about annoying smoke (unless I missed that from the UK alert yesterday!)

They're all responsibly BBQing too!

We actually have a street WhatsApp group where everyone always advises when they're lighting a BBQ to allow people to get the washing in etc.

Your neighbours don’t know that though? You will be making them anxious, plus the smoke is annoying when you have to have your windows open.

Well there have been some changes to the law such a banning disposable barbecues. Personally I wouldn't call the the fire brigade, but there's a fair chance I'd call the police if I saw someone using a disposable barbecue in a large open space, where a fire could cause harm to wildlife. A standing barbecue in their own garden: inadvisable, but not illegal.

Has anyone mentioned those wretched sky lanterns? I lethal menace at the best time times

If your point is that mass social censorship over BBQs feels a bit like the enforcement of Mask use - then yes it does. But that kind of social censure is one of the strongest tools we have to change society.
And is the reason most people: don’t drink and drive and would “report” someone for doing so, or wear seat belts.
I’m old enough to remember neither being the norm.

TBH, anyone with half a brain cell hasn't been using disposable BBQs or lighting campfires in this drought. Unlike responsibly used garden barbeques, these are very high fire risk activities.

I did ( misunderstood) thankyou for pointing it out.

Why didn’t they just ban disposable BBQs months ago? bbqs and campfires have been banned in the Cairngorms for months.

That's up to you. Personally I will be using mine as I am confident is doesn't pose a fire risk and I'm able to use it responsibly.

We have a gas bbq down on concrete there is no way I woud risk it we have trees that have brown leaves ,people's compost heaps ,wood piles .
I can wait for BBQ food until after it rains . I also wouldn't want tonworry my neighbours whose houses would depend on my competence and safety measures and people who smell the smoke don't know me