Barbecues, campfires, fireworks and sky lanterns have been banned in parts of the Peak District following a string of wildfires across the national park this spring.
The new restrictions apply to public areas of the Peak District within the High Peak area of Derbyshire, where fire crews have already dealt with several serious blazes in 2025 — including a major wildfire in Goyt Valley that forced road closures and took days to contain.
The new public space protection order (PSPO), approved by High Peak Borough Council on Friday 13 June 2025, gives police and council officers additional powers to prevent activities that could spark fires. This includes banning not only the lighting of fires, barbecues and fireworks, but also carrying items that could potentially be used to start a fire. Anyone caught breaking the new order faces an on-the-spot fine of up to £100.
Councillor Godfrey Claff, High Peak’s lead member for community safety, stressed the seriousness of the wildfire risk:
“Careless and thoughtless behaviour in the Peak District carries a huge risk. We’re worried about the barbecues, people who throw away lighted cigarettes or matches — anything that could spark a wildfire.”
Drawing comparisons with recent devastating fires overseas, he added:
“It may sound overdramatic, but when you see what can happen in Australia, Canada and Los Angeles, you realise how quickly these fires can take hold and cause death and extensive property damage. And the climate is changing so radically that people believe that sort of thing is not out of reach in this country.”
The Peak District, which straddles several counties including Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire, has seen increasing wildfire incidents in recent years as hotter, drier weather patterns create more hazardous conditions, particularly in upland moorland areas like Beeley Moor and Goyt Valley.
The council hopes the ban will reduce the likelihood of further incidents as the summer season begins, protecting both the natural environment and public safety.
