Bonfire advice follows rise in complaints

Pembrokeshire County Council has seen an increase in complaints about smoke and smells from bonfires during the current spell of warm weather.

Council Cabinet Member for Resident’s Services, Cllr Rhys Sinnett, said: “We have enjoyed some good weather over recent weeks but unfortunately also an increase in complaints about bonfires.

“We are asking residents to please inform their neighbours if you are going to have a bonfire to avoid issues situations such as smoke affecting washing out to dry.

“Obviously during the warmer weather people are more likely to be enjoying their gardens and outside space and a little communication could help prevent issues from coming up.

“Please also consider the risk of starting wildfires when lighting bonfires and do what you can to mitigate that risk. This is always important but even more so considering the extremely dry weather we are experiencing.”

If you are planning a bonfire:

• Inform neighbours
• Only burn dry material
• Never burn household rubbish, rubber tyres or anything containing plastic, foam or paint
• Never use engine oil, meths or petrol to light or encourage the fire
• Think about the weather conditions – smoke hangs in the air on damp days and smoke can be blown far and wide on windy days
• Never leave a fire unattended

As alternatives available to bonfires, residents are advised to compost grass and tree cuttings or to store waste rather than burning.

Wood waste can be shredded to make it suitable for composting or mulching.

The Council also operates a fortnightly subscription garden waste service between March and the end of November and more information is available on the Council’s website.

Further information on bonfires.