Firework displays in Bournemouth and Poole have been cancelled as the risk of wildfires remains high across Dorset and emergency services continue to deal with a major blaze in the New Forest.
BCP Council said the decision was made because of the ongoing dry conditions and the pressure being placed on emergency services.
Although the fireworks are launched from the sea, the council said “all it takes is one stray spark to start a fire” and that it was “not a risk we’re willing to take in these conditions”.
The Poole Quay display, scheduled for Thursday, and the Bournemouth seafront display, planned for Friday, will not go ahead. It is the second consecutive week that the Bournemouth display has been cancelled.
The Bournemouth fireworks on Saturday, 15 August, were also called off. The displays are normally held every Friday at 22:00 from 24 July until 28 August.
Poole Quay had been due to host four fireworks displays during August, with the final event scheduled for Thursday, 27 August.
Cllr Andy Martin, BCP Council’s portfolio holder for customer, communications and culture, said the council recognised that the cancellations would disappoint some people.
However, he said the “overwhelming response” from residents was that cancelling the displays was the right decision.
He added that the decision was not only about public safety but also about ensuring emergency services remained available to deal with other incidents during the current conditions.
“We’re grateful for the public’s understanding as we all play our part in keeping our communities, open spaces and emergency services safe during these heightened conditions,” he said.
The decision comes as firefighters continue to tackle a major wildfire in the New Forest. Crews from 93 fire stations have spent almost 10,000 hours fighting the blaze, which began near Ringwood on 9 August. The fire covers an area of about 1.6 sq km.
Elsewhere in Dorset, Weymouth Town Council decided to proceed with its fireworks display on Monday following discussions with its contractor and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service. The council said the fireworks barge had been moved further from the land as an additional precaution.
The cancellations in Bournemouth and Poole followed a UK government emergency alert warning of a “very high risk of wildfires”. The alert was sent to tens of millions of mobile phones across England and Wales on Friday.
People were warned not to light anything that could start a wildfire, including barbecues, firepits and fireworks.
It was the biggest use of the UK’s emergency alert system since it was introduced in 2023.
The warning came amid exceptionally dry and hot conditions and shortly after disposable barbecues were temporarily banned from sale because of concerns that they posed a “significant risk to the public”.
With firefighters already facing intense demands from the New Forest blaze, councils across Dorset are continuing to urge residents and visitors to take extra care outdoors and avoid activities that could potentially start a fire.
