Fire safety in the New Forest

Fires, BBQs (including purpose built and disposable BBQs), and outdoor cooking equipment (including stoves) are permanently banned within the New Forest.

Wildfires have the potential to completely devastate and destroy – as we saw in nearby Wareham Forest in 2020 in a fire believed to have been started by disposable BBQs that blazed for over two weeks and destroyed a huge area. Help us stop it from happening here and keep the New Forest safe for everyone.

Fineable offence

It is a fineable offence to light:

• Fires of any type
• BBQs (including purpose built and disposable BBQs)
• Any outdoor cooking facilities or equipment including stoves

It also an offence to place, throw or drop items likely to cause a fire such as lit cigarettes.

Anyone failing to comply with these bans can be served with a fixed penalty fine of £100 rising to £1,000 following a successful prosecution. Find out more.

Can I still use cooking facilities within a campervan in the forest?

No. BBQs and outdoor portable cooking equipment are not permitted anywhere on the Forest and this includes use within or close to vehicles. Inbuilt facilities within the campervan itself can be used but these must not extend outside of the vehicle. All waste materials must be taken away to be disposed and not left on the Forest or within car parks.

Can BBQs be used at the official Camping New Forest sites in the New Forest?

There is an exception for Forestry England owned campsites where BBQs or stoves that are purpose built and raised off the ground can be used, due to a number of fire safety and monitoring measures in place. Disposable BBQs are not allowed on any of the campsites or at any other location in the Forest.

Although we permit outdoor cooking in official Camping in the New Forest campsites, the fire risk is regularly reviewed, and cooking may be prohibited at any time.