2023 will be a big year for the United Kingdom’s festival scene. Aside from Glastonbury hosting big acts next year, we previously reported that WE ARE FSTVL’s biggest event is one to look forward to. You can expect a high-tech stage, various musical acts — and even a festival village called the ‘Neighbourhood,’ where attendees can treat themselves to coffee, juice, and cocktails.

But the excitement around 2023’s festivities is accompanied by a little caution, too. Just this year, UK's weather bureau Met Office announced a Red Warning as local temperatures climbed to 40C. The rising temperatures are prompting festivals to rethink how they organise events in response to the extreme heat.

So with that in mind, keep reading about how fire hazards are affecting festivals in the UK — and what’s being done about them.

Why are fires so prevalent at UK festivals?

UK’s weather conditions are getting hotter with Cambridge having experienced its hottest temperature at 38.7C this year. As such, festival organisers and staff are more alert than ever before when it comes to fire hazards. This is because extreme heat makes flammable material more prone to combustion. Not to mention, heat dries up festival grounds to a tinder-like texture, which easily combusts when it comes into contact with things like cigarettes.

This was the cause of an incident at Boomtown in 2016. A fire at the festival burned down more than 80 cars. It was reported that a cigarette set the grass in the festival’s parking lot on fire. Fortunately, the Hampshire Fire and Rescue firefighters were able to immediately stop the flames from spreading, and no one was injured. However, this only goes to show how vital risk assessments and the necessary measures are in preventing fires at festivals.

What’s being done about festival fire hazards?

To prevent fire incidents, organisers carefully examine the location and weather for any risks. In some cases, like at 2022’s the High Walls Festival, the event had to be cancelled. Local authorities explained that this was because extreme heat was expected on the days of August 13 to 14, when High Walls was originally set to take place. The festival was surrounded by barley fields, so the whole situation posed a series of extreme fire hazards.

Some festivals like the folk and rock Fairport’s Cropredy Convention list rules instead. Attendees, for instance, are discouraged from bringing charcoal or gas barbecues as they can set fire to any flammable object on festival grounds. Instead, event organisers provide food to prevent the need to cook on-site. Other festivals also ban smoking, mainly because cigarette butts are combustible and pose the same risk as charcoal or gas BBQs.

What you can do to help prevent fire

If you're attending a music festival soon, it’s important to follow their guidelines. Avoid leaving glass or bottles outside, as they can reflect sunlight on grass and start a fire. Put out your cigarettes before throwing them out, as they can come into contact with a flammable object and cause a fire.

It’s also better to be safe than sorry. If you want to have fun at festivals, it is also worth considering bringing along smokeless nicotine alternatives instead. Nicotine pouches are great options as they contain nicotine and come in different flavours. The pouches come in discreet packages so they can be placed between your cheek and gum for up to an hour. Prilla adds that compared to traditional tobacco products, nicotine pouches aren’t combustible. You can easily dispose of them without needing to extinguish them. Another alternative you can try are nicotine patches. You only need to stick a patch on to your skin, where it can last for up to 24 hours. And as nicotine patches by brands like NicoDerm CQ are commonly-used, you can simply grab a pack online or at your local pharmacy before the festival starts.

A music festival can be a memorable experience. Yet a fun and stress-free one requires you to be aware of your surroundings, about any possible fire hazards and what you can do to prevent them to ensure that you respect the festival’s rules.