Bonfires

The bonfire gets its name from medieval 'bonefires' of animal bones - and while modern day bonfire ingredients may not be as gruesome, they still cause pollution and local nuisance. Bonfires may be fun but they are not usually the most environmentally friendly way of getting rid of your rubbish.

What's wrong with a good old fashioned bonfire?

Many people like having bonfires but they can be very irritating to neighbours - the smoke, smuts and smell result in many complaints to the Council. 

• Smoke prevents your neighbours from enjoying their gardens, opening windows or hanging out washing and can reduce visibility in the neighbourhood and on roads.

• Bonfires cause air pollution. Burning garden waste produces smoke, especially if it is damp and smouldering rather than dry and blazing. Like tobacco smoke, this will contain the poisonous gas carbon monoxide and other noxious or irritating compounds. Burning plastic, rubber or painted materials not only creates an unpleasant smell but also produces a range of poisonous compounds. These compounds can damage health. Problems may be caused for asthmatics, bronchitis sufferers or those with heart conditions and children. Even if the immediate health risk is small, your bonfire will be adding to the general background level of air pollution. Air pollution in the UK often hits the official 'poor' level - do you really want to make it worse?

• Weather conditions affect air pollution. If the air is still, particularly in the late afternoon or evening, smoke will linger. A dry blazing bonfire will lift smoke and fumes upwards. If it is too windy, smoke may blow into neighbours' properties and across roads causing annoyance or danger. If bonfire smoke is allowed to drift across a road, reducing visibility for drivers, call the Police.

• Remember, bonfires are dangerous. Fire can spread to fences or buildings and scorch trees and plants.

If you have a problem with a neighbour's bonfire, talk to them first. If that doesn't work, you can register a complaint by contacting the Customer Service Centre by telephone (01923 776611) or e-mail enquiries@threerivers.gov.uk. Always give an indication of when you can be found at home, or where you can be contacted during the day. Try to give a precise location of the source of the problem.

What's the legal position?

Although many people assume that there are specific bye-laws to prohibit bonfires, there are none within the Three Rivers District.  If used sensitively, the occasional bonfire should not cause a major problem and an outright ban would be unreasonable. Not only would it be difficult to enforce, occasionally a bonfire is the best practical way to dispose of garden waste.

However, if a neighbour is causing a nuisance by burning rubbish, the law is on your side. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, a statutory nuisance includes "smoke, fumes or gases emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance". In practice, to be considered a nuisance, a bonfire would have to be a regular problem and interfering substantially with your well-being, comfort or enjoyment of your property.

If you do light a fire (and we hope you won't) try not to choose a damp day when smoke hangs in the air for long periods, or very windy days when smoke may be carried over roads, neighbouring properties, lines of washing or when windows may be open.

Burn only dry wood to minimise the quantity of smoke produced. Never add rubber tyres, sump oil, plastics or household rubbish. Exploding bottles and cans are also a hazard when rubbish if burned.

Always remember:

•  That bonfires can be dangerous and should be attended at all times.
•  A fire should never be left to smoulder - always douse it with soil or water.
•  Don't allow your fire to continue after dusk.
•  Piles of garden waste are often used as a refuge by animals, so check before you start.

For further information on alternative ways to dispose of garden waste which do not include bonfires click on one of the related pages below.  To check when your garden waste will next be collected, you can use the online service below.