Bonfires

If you witness a bonfire that is unattended, call Humberside Fire and Rescue Service on 999.

Domestic bonfires (including those on allotments) cause many problems to people in the area, including -

• annoyance to neighbours - smoke prevents neighbours from enjoying their gardens, opening windows or hanging washing out, and reduces visibility in the neighbourhood and on roads
  
  
• safety hazards - fire can spread to fences or buildings and scorch trees and plants. Exploding bottles and cans are a hazard when rubbish is burned. Piles of garden waste are often used as a refuge by animals, so look out for hibernating wildlife and sleeping pets
  
  
• air pollution - air pollution can also have damaging health effects

Report illegal bonfires

Bonfires on public land are illegal as it is classed as flytipping. Anyone caught building a bonfire could be fined for flytipping. If you see an illegal bonfire being built, report it to us using the online form below -

The Hull Fire and Bonfire Initiative (FAB) will organise for the bonfire to be dismantled. FAB is a multi agency task force working to reduce the sale of illegal fireworks and organise the removal of illegal bonfires.

Report smoke problems from a bonfire

If you experience smoke problems a bonfire, report it to us.

Report smoke problems caused by a bonfire

Times for having bonfires

There are no specific byelaws prohibiting garden bonfires or specifying times they can be lit. However, only occasionally is a bonfire the best practicable way to dispose of woody or diseased waste that cannot be composted.

What can be burned

We recommend that you do not burn anything in your gardens or allotments. Most waste when burned is likely to produce smoke which can also cause a statutory nuisance to other people in the area.

Only clean non-treated dry wood should be burned. Any plastics, furniture or cable should not be burned at all. Instead you should dispose of your waste in the following ways -

• green waste and food waste can be composted or put in the brown bin for composting
  
  
• paper, plastic bottles, cans, can be put in the blue bin for recycling
  
  Find out more about recycling and waste collections for your home
  
  
• large items should be taken to the recycling centres at Stoneferry or Burmah Drive. If you can’t take a large item to a centre, we can remove it for you
  
  Request a bulky item collection

You should not burn waste that is likely to create smoke or noxious fumes. It is an offence to dispose your domestic waste in a way that is likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health under section 33(1)(c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (as amended).

The video below gives further advice about how to build a bonfire safely.

Contact us

Citysafe
Hull City Council
Kingston House
Bond Street
Hull
HU1 3ER

Tel: 01482 300 300
Email: hull.citysafe@hullcc.gov.uk