Be Considerate!
Should you decide to have a bonfire, kindly note these recommendations:

• Ideally the clippings should be left to dry for a couple of weeks under a loose cover which will shed the worst of any rain;
• DO NOT burn any oily rags, rubber, plastics, damp garden waste or other materials that would inevitably create heavy smoke or toxic fumes;
• Never light a bonfire when your neighbours have washing drying, or are out enjoying their gardens or have windows wide open;
• Advise your nearest neighbours before you light a bonfire so they can be prepared for any minor inconvenience that may arise;
• Choose the time of day and weather conditions that will cause the least inconvenience to neighbours. A bonfire should be lit when there is plenty of time for it to burn out during the day, it should not be allowed to continue into the night. Although it would seem that this would cause less of a problem it does not, at night the smoke from a bonfire will not disperse properly;
• Burn material quickly in small quantities so the minimum amount of smoke is created. An incinerator makes this much easier and these can be bought at most garden centres and hardware shops;
• Choose your bonfire site carefully, well away from trees, fences and windows. Don't automatically locate fires at the bottom of your garden. This often means that they are furthest from your house and very near your neighbours - a sure fire way of annoying them;
  
  
• Beware of attempting bonfires on very windy days as they can so easily get out of control. Have a hose-pipe and buckets of water handy just in case;
  
• Never leave your fire to smoulder for long periods. Never leave a fire unattended. Hose it down until cold before you leave;
  
• The ashes, when cold, can be raked into the soil as a useful fertiliser. Small pieces of charcoal can be included, but larger pieces should be picked out first.

Alternatives to a Bonfire

There are a number of more environmentally friendly ways to dispose of your waste and are also less likely to cause a nuisance. The first is composting, you can get advice on composting from The National Centre for Organic Gardening, Ryton on Dunsmore, Coventry, CV8 3LG or from The Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9AZ.

The second is recycling, most garden and kitchen waste can be recycled and general household was should certainly not be burnt. This should be a priority now with the blue wheelie bin system.You may also get further information on recycling from our own Green and Clean Unit.

Bothered by a Bonfire

First of all you could approach the person responsible for the bonfire. In three quarters of cases they do not know that they are causing problems for another. Often they are too intent on keeping the fire going to notice the effect it is having!

If you are really annoyed then calm down before approaching or writing them a letter. You will be much better able to explain your grievance in a reasonable way and so you are much more likely to get a positive response.

You should also be aware of the common mis-conception that it is illegal to have a fire at certain times of the day or on certain days of the week. There is no such law. We are also frequently asked if bonfires are illegal in a smoke control area or as they are more commonly known a 'smokeless zone'. Strange as it may seem they are not illegal, the 'smokeless zone' governs the type of fuel that may be burnt in a domestic or commercial premise.