Bonfires

Alternatives to bonfires

There are more suitable alternatives for the disposal of household and garden waste such as composting or using the Council's green waste collection service rather than having a bonfire.

If you must have a bonfire then you should follow these guidelines

  • avoid bonfires at weekends and on public/bank holidays
  • burn only dry material
  • never use petrol to light a fire
  • never leave a lit fire unattended or leave it to smoulder
  • never burn items or materials such as plastics, foam, painted wood, rubber or furniture
  • make sure you have a water supply to douse the fire
  • never light a fire on days when air pollution levels are high in the area - you can check the levels by telephoning 0800 556677 using quick dial code '53' when prompted
  • do not have a bonfire when it is damp, on windy days, or in the evening.

Report a bonfire

Get in touch about environmental health

The quickest way to contact us is by using our online forms which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need to speak to us give us a call during office hours and talk to our Customer Services team who will be happy to help.