Dartmoor is at high risk of wildfires. Photo: Dartmoor NPA

National park bosses in Dartmoor have banned barbecues and open fires on common land in the area.

The move is in response to the increased risk of wildfires following the prolonged spell of dry weather.

The national park authority urged people to be vigilant to the increased risk during the heatwave, pointing out wildfires pose a significant risk to people and animals, as well as damage to property and the natural environment.

A Dartmoor National Park Authority spokesperson said: “A wildfire can start rapidly from things like a disposable barbecue, a cigarette or a match thrown out of a car window, or empty glass bottles left in blazing sunshine.

“All can cause catastrophic damage to natural habitats as well as killing animals and endanger other people.

Richard Drysdale, the authority’s director of conservation and communities, said: “We are introducing this temporary ban to try and help prevent a wildfire on Dartmoor.

“We want people to enjoy Dartmoor and urge them to do as much as they can to prevent a fire breaking out.

“We would like to thank everyone who is being responsible but our rangers are still reporting incidents of people having open fires and barbecues on the open moor or common land. This is a danger to life and the environment, hence the need for a temporary ban.”

Signs warning of the increased fire risk and telling people about the ban on barbecues and open fires are being installed around the national park.

The authority said the ban is being introduced as a temporary measure under the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985, for the purpose of preventing fire risk. The ban has the support of the Dartmoor Commoners’ Council, Dartmoor Commons Owners Association, Natural England and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.