Royal Parks Police issue barbecue ban reminder following fire at Richmond Park

Police have issued a reminder on the strict ban of barbecues across all Royal Parks following a tree that caught fire at Richmond Park over the Bank Holiday Weekend.

Officers from the Royal Parks Police team dealt with the fire to a tree in Richmond Park last night at around 10.30pm (May 29) after a barbecue was left in the tree stump earlier in the day and eventually caught alight.

As temperatures rise over the Spring and Summer months incidents of accidental fires by disposable barbecues in Bushy and Richmond Park occur frequently despite being prohibited.

The fires, like the one last night, are often started when park goers have positioned barbecues under the shade of large trees, which could be hundreds of years old. Many have become hollow over time and when a fire starts they act as a chimney, causing the fire to spread through the tree rapidly, destroying the tree and killing animals.

The Royal Parks Police team took to Twitter to remind visitors of the risks barbecues contain writing: "Officers from @MPSRoyal_Parks are currently dealing with a fire to a tree in #RichmondPark after a barbecue was left in a tree stump and caught fire. Park users are reminded that barbecues are not permitted in the @theroyalparks and are potentially dangerous."

Adam Curtis, Park Manager for Richmond Park, said: "In some areas of the park we've seen centuries of biodiversity wiped out because of a fire caused by a BBQ.

"We've lost veteran trees and even if the tree survives the fire will burn out the decaying wood within. This important habitat supports over 1,000 different species of insects and their larvae which can be destroyed. Birds will fly off but sadly baby birds will die, as will roosting bats."

He continued: "Grassland fires spread quickly and set off a chain reaction. In fallen deadwoods I've found burnt grass snake eggs and stag beetle larvae. Invertebrates in the grass also get burnt - mammals will run off but their nests get burnt.

"The grass dies as does any seed bank. Often what grows back is a different composition of species and if more aggressive rye grasses get in, then we tend to find the grass loses some of its wildlife value.

"Worryingly we do get BBQs put into bins when still alight and I've had to put out bin fires. On one occasion a car was parked next to the bin and I have no doubt it would have caught fire if I hadn't got there in time."

Dennis Clarke, Head of Park Services for The Royal Parks, added: "We understand the temptation to use beautiful green spaces for barbecues, but hot coals and dry grass don't mix. During the hot weather the hot grass in the parks is like tinder.

"No-one ever believes it'll be their barbecue that causes a fire, but fires can start easily and rapidly get out of control especially in the wilder, more secluded parks."