Bonfires - please be safe & considerate

If you have a bonfire, please be considerate & follow these guidelines from VoWHDC and the Fire Brigade:

• Out of courtesy, inform your neighbours that you are proposing to have a bonfire
• Avoid burning on hot, sunny days, weekends and bank holidays when people want to enjoy their gardens
• Avoid lighting a fire in unsuitable weather conditions - smoke hangs in the air on damp or warm, still days and in the evening
• Ensure that your bonfire is at least 100 metres from any thatched properties
• Only burn dry 'clean' wood/garden waste
• Do not burn household rubbish, such as plastic, foam, paint or rubber
• Do not light bonfires when the material is damp because this will generate more smoke
• Do not use old engine oil, meths or petrol to light the fire
• Do not light bonfires when the wind is likely to blow smoke into neighbours' home or garden
• Do not leave bonfires unattended, even if it is just smouldering - douse it with water if necessary
• Always start with a small fire to create a hot core then feed it often with small quantities of material this will encourage the smoke to be burnt and minimise the amount smouldering and smoke generated by the fire.

What is the alternative?

Do you really need to have a bonfire? Disposal methods, which are far less environmentally damaging, are available such as composting and recycling. Most garden and kitchen waste - even cardboard and paper- can be recycled into compost. Woody waste can also be shredded to make it suitable for composting or mulching. See VoWHDC's Garden waste and Recycling pages for information about how to safely dispose of waste.

Report a problem online

If you feel comfortable, speak to the person who has the bonfire and explain the problem it is causing.  If the problem still continues and is affecting you in your home or garden, you can make a complaint.

You can report a problem by filling in the Vale's online report form (click).

For further information, please see the following VoWHDC web page:-

• Bonfires and smoke

Provided by VoWHDC