Come on Baby Light My Fire

[Closer]

Is there a law regarding what time you can light a bonfire on a summer evening ?

[Miss Zippy]

You would need to check with your local authority to see if there are any bye-laws in place regulating domestic bonfires. However, I believe that most local authorities do not, in fact, have any bye-laws in place dealing with bonfires. Instead, they rely on the statutory nuisance provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to deal with people who cause a nuisance with bonfires. A bonfire could constitute a 'nuisance' if for, example, you light it late on a warm summer's evning when you neighbours are in bed with their windows open!

[andy hughes]

The enire side boundary of our proerty is bounded by Council allotments, so summer bonfires are an anual problem. We've found the best way is to politely remind the allotment holders that our windows are open, or washing is on the line, and they are usually considerate. If the odd one gets stroppy, a quick call to the Council usually sorts it out. Because of the 'grey area' concerning the law, we rely on courtesy and common sense - it usually works.

[Closer]

Since neighbours all around us appear to be spending their evenings in the garden, I have been waiting till quite late to light my bonfires, but then this may cause a problem if they have windows open and are in bed. It is noticeable how some people have no courtesy what so ever (special thanks go to the neighbours who lit a fire of beacon proportions at 6.30pm on sunday and showered the neighbourhood in ash). I just wondered what the law was (if any). Thanks for your answers.

[secretspirit]

There certainly should be (sorry I know that's not much help but I'm sick of the people who light them in the afternoon and make my washing black).

[Robinia]

Ah!...my pet hate,bonfires. In my area I believe it's after 6pm, but as others have said not everyone is considerate. Whatever time they're lit, I hate the smell & they ruin pleasant evenings in the garden. Why does anyone actually need a bonfire these days anyway? I am a very keen gardener but never have fires.

[hockle]

I always thought you couldn't light a fire between dawn and dusk (in other words only after dark). It might not be a bylaw but it stops you annoying your neighbours.......

[norfolk boy]

Closer you need to be like me and have a very long memory. light that fire when the wind is in the offending persons direction.Petty it may be, but these idiots only understand such actions