Full Answer
Is it illegal to have a fire in your garden UK?
Technically, garden bonfires aren’t actually illegal. However, there are laws in place for the nuisance they can cause. Burning domestic waste is strictly prohibited, as it will cause pollution or harm people’s health. What time can you have a fire in your garden UK? There are no set times when you can or can’t have a bonfire.
What time of day can you have a fire in UK?
Contrary to some belief there are no restrictions on the time of day, or day of the week that someone can have a fire. Generally speaking if you live in a domestic property and are burning domestic or garden waste then you can have a fire whenever you like. How do I report someone burning rubbish UK?
When should you not have a bonfire in your garden?
You should avoid burning once it gets dark as you may attract the attentions of the Fire Service. You should also avoid burning when people have washing out to dry or are likely to be disturbed by a fire. Are you allowed to have a bonfire in your garden UK?
When is the best time to light a fire in Garden?
There are no legal rule surrounding the times that you can light a fire in your garden. However, there are better and worse times to do so! Having a fire in the evening or at night reduces the chance that you will annoy your neighbours. Be sure to warn them so that they don’t think your shed is on fire though!
How to reduce smoke from bonfire?
A light breeze, though, can be helpful. It will help the smoke dissipate more quickly. Ensure that whatever you’re burning is dry to reduce the amount of smoke that’s generated in the first place. And avoid having a bonfire on a damp day for the same reason. Don’t burn anything except garden waste.
Why can't you stick anything on a bonfire?
That’s because burning large quantities of waste, and particular kinds of waste, can be hazardous. Plastics, for example, can release poisonous gases.
How to avoid getting into hot water with a bonfire?
Avoid getting into sticky situations by telling your neighbours about your plans in advance. Be ready to change the time of your bonfire if it will cause them problems. And make sure you’re burning the right things in the right conditions. Do all this, and you’ll avoid getting into hot water with your bonfire!
Why is smoke dangerous?
2. Road safety. Because smoke can interfere with drivers’ visibility, there are other rules to consider depending on where you live. If the smoke from your bonfire drifts over a road it could cause a serious hazard to road users. And if that happens, you could be looking at a fine from the police.
How to get rid of garden waste?
An occasional bonfire can be an efficient way to get rid of garden waste. Minimise how often you need to have one by putting what you can into a composter. And take a few simple steps to stay safe and keep the peace with your neighbours.
Can you light a bonfire on windy days?
On a windy day, the smoke from your bonfire can travel much further than it otherwise would. If you’re in any doubt about whether smoke could reach a nearby road, don’t light the fire. 3. Statutory nuisance. The final category that could land you in trouble with the law is what’s known as “statutory nuisance”.
Is it ok to have a bonfire in the garden?
There aren’t any rules about the right time to have a bonfire in your garden. But there are other rules that mean it’s important to take care – or you could find yourself on the wrong side of the law.
When is the best time to have a bonfire?
There is no set time limit on having a bonfire, but there are times when it's more polite to have one - such as early morning or early evening, when you're least likely to annoy your neighbours. A quick, hot fire also reduces smoke emissions.
What happens if a neighbour's bonfire is causing a nuisance?
Your council can issue an "abatement notice" if a neighbour’s bonfire is causing a nuisance - although it would have to happen frequently to be considered a nuisance. You or your neighbour can then be fined up to £5,000 if they don’t follow the rules of the notice. We pay for your stories!
Can you burn anything that could cause pollution?
You also can't burn anything that could cause pollution or harm to public health - that includes plastic, rubber, old engine oil, and anything else that produces poisonous fumes. You should only ever burn dry materials, and tell your neighbours in advance.
Is it legal to burn a bonfire in the UK?
Are garden bonfires legal in the UK? Technically, garden bonfires aren't actually illegal. However, there are laws in place for the nuisance they can cause. Burning domestic waste is strictly prohibited, as it will cause pollution or harm people's health.
Sultana
yes, I think you are right about the time, but as far as I am aware, there is no law against it, as long as you check your neighbours don't have washing out first, you should be OK.
andyrad29
one of my neighbours keeps having a big fire and i have a white car!!! what can be done about it?
Halibut
one of my neighbours keeps having a big fire and i have a white car!!! what can be done about it?
nickycheese
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/environment/environmental-health/pollution/air-pollution/smoke/bonfires
slimsid2000
can anyone tell me about having a fire in your garden, is it illegal or just inconsideratre, i always thought you couldnt have a fire until after 6-7 in evening.
How to kill weeds in a raised garden?
You simply put a layer of clear plastic or glass over your garden (raised beds work best) and let the sunlight soak in. Ideally the air space in between the plastic/glass and the dirt will rise to a high temperature, high enough to kill weed seeds on the surface (while also warming the soil).
Does fire add nutrients to soil?
Fire has the additional added benefit of potentially adding nutrients to the soil, as well as bio-char. Bio-char is a fancy word for essentially natural charcoal or carbon, as we all know from the use of activated charcoal filters charcoal bonds to other chemicals, like say nitrogen and phosphorous, holding such minerals in the soil. ...
Do you turn the soil every spring?
In the vegetable garden weeds are horrible, no one likes weeds, they compete with our crops. Also, unless you’re practicing no-till, you’re going to turn the soil every Spring to loosen it up and aerate it, giving plant roots an easier time of things.
Make your bonfire wildlife-friendly
It’s more than possible to have a fun-filled Bonfire Night while keeping animals safe this year. Sean recommends delaying building the fire until the day of, leaving less time for hedgehogs or other small creatures to find their way in. If you do need to build in advance, add a perimeter of chicken wire.
Keep humans safe and happy
It’s not just critters who can be put in danger from a bonfire, so it’s important to build and maintain a safe fire. Just like hedgehogs, small children might run and hide in a bonfire, so make sure everyone is accounted for, and double-check the pile once more before lighting.
What is the law about bonfires?
Technically speaking, there is no UK law in place that says that you cannot have a bonfire at home. As a general rule of thumb, if carried out sensitively and correctly, the odd bonfire should not cause any major problems.
What time can you have a bonfire?
Since there are no specific laws in place about domestic bonfires, as long as you are not burning inappropriate materials that could harm others or cause smoke to drift into the road, you could choose to have one during the day or at night.
Where can I light a bonfire?
Aside from your own property, you might be wondering where else you can light a bonfire. The truth is, if you’re planning on having one in a public space, such as a beach or park, it’s likely there are restrictions in place.
Step 1: Find a safe location
Ideally, a bonfire should be built in an open space, on the ground on a suitable firebase, such as on a bed of stones, away from buildings and other flammable items. Do not build it too close to a house, and keep it a safe distance away from any fencing. The aim is to keep the bonfire itself small.
Step 2: Consider the wind direction
Before lighting the bonfire, it’s a good idea to take the wind direction into consideration. This will determine which way the smoke will drift once it is lit and whether it could go over nearby roads, which isn’t allowed. This will also prevent the smoke from blowing into neighbouring gardens and causing a nuisance for others.
Step 3: Start to build it up
The secret to a good bonfire is in the building, and there are a few items you may need in order to get it going. Tinder is used to initially light the fire and includes dried leaves, paper, bark, pine cones and pine needles. Then, you’ll need small and medium-sized kindling, including dry sticks.
Step 4: Build up the kindling
Continue to layer the kindling in the same way, alternating the small, medium and large logs. The larger bits of wood can be added in intervals around the base of the fire. The idea is to keep gaps between each layer so that oxygen can get in.