Don't be a "bonfire bandit", says Environment Agency
It's urging Dorset residents to celebrate Guy Fawkes' Night responsibly
Residents in Dorset are being urged not to be "bonfire bandits" as the Environment Agency asks that people attend a public bonfire display instead.
The trouble is with many local authorities up and down the country cancelling public displays to save on energy this year, more people are expected to build their own bonfire.
The Environment Agency says it's important that people understand the safety risks involved with hosting your own bonfire though, especially if using the wrong burning materials, such as household waste.
It's asking us to only use dry, untreated and unpainted wood, and small amounts of paper or cardboard. It adds that using wet wood creates smoke which can spread and cause nuisance to neighbours, and using household waste can lead to fires getting quickly out of hand.
Burning waste can also be damaging to the environment, wildlife and human health, as Kevin Baker, Waste Crime Engagement Specialist at the South West branch of the Environment Agency, explains:
"People are burning waste rather than paying to have it disposed correctly. It can be anything from building materials to hazardous waste such as tires, disused chemicals, oil, or sorts of things that you can quite clearly see would be not a good idea to burn.
"If you burn hazardous materials it can be damaging to the environment, (for example) to any water courses that are nearby. It can be damaging to human health if you breathe in toxic fumes, and it can be endangering to wildlife that sometimes get trapped in your bonfire, unfortunately.
As well as the harm and nuisance burning the wrong kind of waste can cause, burning of most types of waste is illegal and can carry a fine of up to £50,000.
Rebecca Kirk of the Environment Agency said:
“We want people to have fun on Bonfire Night – but to do so safely and in a way that won’t create a risk to the environment, wildlife and to you and your neighbours.
“The best way of doing that, is to stop burning waste altogether and go to a properly organised community event, where organisers, hopefully, should have followed our guidelines and won’t be causing a hazard.”
Group Manager, Dave Waters, of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, added:
“We would always urge people to attend organised bonfire and fireworks events as it’s much safer. In addition, it reduces the potential pressure on the fire and rescue service at a time of year when we can be extremely busy.”
If you see a bonfire being built, which you think may contain hazardous materials, you can report it the Environment Agency on 0800 807060 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.