Further legal action can be taken against them if they continue to flout the law. However, if they ignore your request, you can contact your local authority’s environmental health department who will write to the neighbour, and include the relevant legislation about what they can and cannot do. Quite often, they are so engrossed in what they’ve got to burn and get rid of that they can be pretty oblivious to the effects the bonfire is having on nearby residents. If a Neighbour’s Bonfire Causes a ProblemIf a neighbour is burning a bonfire which is causing a nuisance, you should go round to their house and ask them politely to extinguish it or if they could do anything to reduce its effects. You should not attempt to light a bonfire when it’s a windy day, as wind will blow the smoke further, causing annoyance to even more of your neighbours. For example, rubber tyres and plastic containers do not belong on a bonfire. You should not burn anything which is likely to cause excessive and pungent black smoke. Keep a hosepipe handy or have buckets of water already prepared in case the fire gets out of control, and never leave a bonfire unattended. For safety purposes and to reduce annoyance potential, it's best to burn a small bonfire and then adding to it as opposed to making one great big bonfire. Recycling bins are often provided for garden waste and many gardeners will use much of the stuff that they may have previously burned and use it as compost.ĭon’t include any wet or green materials on your bonfire as that will just cause excess smoke. These days, and with the encouragement to recycle, there is far less need to burn garden rubbish than there may have been a few years ago. General AdviceFirst, try to have as few bonfires as possible. While on the subject of barbecues or using other smoke-causing devices such as a Wood Burning Stove, the same common courtesy rules should apply if you think you are going to cause excessive smoke problems. Obviously, not everybody has the same day for doing their washing and hanging it out on the line or inviting guests around for a barbecue, but by letting them know in advance, your neighbours can plan washing days and outdoor activities accordingly. Informing your Closest NeighboursIt’s common courtesy to let those neighbours who might be affected by the smoke know when you intend to have the bonfire. Keep any bonfire well out of the way of windows, trees, fences, hedges and other combustible materials.Įven in the summer months, when there are lots of green leaves around, it’s easy to forget that they are simply light covering for a lot of dry wood and, should an ivy bush catch fire, for example, one that grows along the side of a fence reaching right to your house, it’s amazing how rapidly that can take hold and spread. Not only do you need to consider your neighbours, but any kind of fire can be extremely dangerous if not managed properly.
As a general guideline, don’t light your bonfire any later than one hour before dusk, and if possible do it in the morning or early evening.Ĭhoosing your SiteYou need to think carefully about where in your garden you're going to place your bonfire. While the law does not restrict you from doing so, it would be highly inconsiderate to light a bonfire in the middle of the night. In addition to the legislation, it’s also important that you consider how the bonfire might affect your neighbours. There is, however, firm legislation in place which you must comply with to ensure that your bonfire does not contravene the Environmental Protection Act. If the type of domestic property you live in is suitable, it is perfectly legal to have a bonfire on your land and, contrary to popular belief, there are no restrictions as to what time of the day or day of the week you can have it on.