East Sussex fire service urges people not to have bonfires

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said a significant number of people are still suffering with breathing problems due to Covid and the smoke from bonfires can make it even more difficult for them.

According to the fire service, legally you cannot get rid of household waste if it will cause pollution or harm people’s health – this includes burning it.

Waste recycling centres are open with strict social distancing controls. The services will be restricted and councils are asking people only to travel to a site if absolutely necessary.

Your council can issue an ‘abatement notice’ if a neighbour’s bonfire is causing a nuisance. A bonfire must happen frequently to be considered a nuisance, according to the fire service.

Your neighbour can be fined up to £5,000 if they don’t follow the rules of the notice.

More information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/garden-bonfires-rules