Thursday 04 June 2020
The start of Phase 4 has seen many islanders heading outdoors to enjoy the summer weather with the now limitless recreation time and small gatherings permitted.
Many are meeting up with friends and family for the first time in months and enjoying some well-deserved food and relaxation on the beach.
However, Islanders are reminded to take extra care when extinguishing beach barbecues and ensure that they dispose of them in a safe manner. This comes after three separate fires occurred over the last week in coastal litter bins from the hot embers of disposable barbeques. These bins consequently require replacement at public expense. In another incident, fire debris was found on the Saumarez Park nature trail.
Barbeques can be lit 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, grassy or wooded areas. Open flames around dry vegetation can cause fires to escape and destroy nearby valuable resources, habitats and homes, as well posing a danger to others.
In order for barbecues to be a safe and enjoyable experience for all, please follow the following safety standards:
- Only light barbeques on beaches, below the high tide mark, and keep a 4 metre distance from any surrounding dune or grassland vegetation.
- Only light the barbeque 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 barbeque, 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.
Further information, and permits for beach barbeques of more than ten people, can be found at gov.gg/beachbbq.
