Fire authorities across the UK have issued a public appeal asking citizens to refrain from calling 999 to report neighbors for hosting barbecues. The request comes as emergency services struggle to manage a high volume of calls related to fire safety during periods of extreme weather.

Earlier, the government utilized the national mobile phone alert system to warn the public about the heightened risk of wildfires. This alert specifically advised against lighting fires or engaging in activities that could spark a blaze, such as using barbecues in dry, flammable environments. While the alert was intended to prevent accidental fires, some members of the public have interpreted the guidance as a mandate to monitor and report their neighbors' activities to emergency services. Fire officials clarified that while the fire risk is genuine, calling 999 to report a neighbor's barbecue is an inappropriate use of emergency resources that could delay responses to actual life-threatening incidents.