15/08/2026
⚠️ **WILDFIRE ALERTS – BEEKEEPING SAFELY** 🔥🐝
With wildfire alerts being issued across the UK and vegetation incredibly dry, we would strongly encourage beekeepers to **avoid using conventional solid-fuel smokers altogether at the moment wherever possible.**
In these conditions, it only takes **one spark, hot ember or small flame** to ignite dry vegetation and develop into something serious very quickly.
🔥 Consider going flameless
The *ANEL Electric Heated Vaporiser Smoker* is a really sensible alternative in the current conditions. It can be used with vapour pads to produce smoke without an open flame, making it particularly useful when fire risk is high.
It’s also versatile — when conditions are safe, it can be used with conventional smoker fuel just like a traditional smoker, giving you the option of either method depending on the conditions.
For anyone inspecting bees regularly during this exceptionally dry weather, it’s a piece of equipment seriously worth considering.
🔥 If you do use a conventional smoker
Only do so if you are completely satisfied that conditions and your location make it safe, and take every possible precaution.
We would strongly recommend using a *secure stainless-steel smoker box* . A lit or hot smoker can be safely contained inside the box before, during and after your inspection rather than being placed on dry grass or vegetation, and it gives you a secure way of transporting it afterwards.
We have two Italian-made Quarti options available, including the larger smoker/tool box.
Please take the wildfire warnings seriously. The bees can be inspected another day if conditions aren’t safe.
Be alert. Be careful. Be responsible.🐝🔥
Protect our bees. Protect our countryside.
