Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think neighbours shouldn’t have a bonfire in a heatwave at midday

29 replies

geewizzpop · 14/06/2026 19:53

I washed all our bedding today and put it on the line, we intended to sit out in the garden but the people over the back lit a bonfire at midday and it’s still going now.
Thick black smoke, it stinks and we need the windows open in this heat.
AIBU to think this is completely inconsiderate?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
FluentOP · 15/08/2026 02:17

Very selfish and inconsiderate.

sugarrosepetal · 25/07/2026 09:27

Yanbu. My neighbour has lit 7 in the past 5 weeks during this heatwave and it's always been on the cooler days when we want to open our windows to refresh the stuffiness in the house. I also had surgery four weeks ago and have autoimmune diseases that cause me to be heat intolerant so I am really struggling. We had a tiny bit of a reprieve yesterday with the weather where it was cool, fresh air but not for long since the asshat across the road lit up before he went to work at 3pm. It calmed down slightly and must have went out but he relit it when he got home. If it's not him, it's his neighbour downstairs and both are doing it in the same area of the garden. I live on an open corner so any, and all wind tends to hit my house no matter the direction. I am ready to blow my top. I've not been able to catch either of them yet to speak to them but I will do eventually. I won't miss and hit the wall, that's for sure.

Showdogworkingdog · 14/06/2026 20:16

I’m in the bonfires in gardens should be banned camp too. There’s never a good time, it stinks and it’s inconsiderate. My neighbour always burns his hedge cuttings because he won’t pay for a garden bin. He does it when it suits him and gives no thought to what others might be doing in their gardens- as he once explained to me, what he does in his garden is his business. 🙄

Arlanymor · 14/06/2026 20:13

wonderstuff · 14/06/2026 20:11

Bonfires should only happen on Nov 5th, incredibly inconsiderate.

I don't think it's a November 5th bonfire with a Guy in the centre and children circulating with sparkers.

Prunellaprim · 14/06/2026 20:13

BrazilBalls · 14/06/2026 20:05

In the autumn? Or winter? When it's socially acceptable?

Show quote history

Long time to store the garden waste they are probably burning. Anyway summer bonfires are completely normal. It might be a bit much to have one going all night for the solstice but an odd bonfire on a not too warm day is hardly anti social behaviour.

wonderstuff · 14/06/2026 20:11

Bonfires should only happen on Nov 5th, incredibly inconsiderate.

Honeyhonay · 14/06/2026 20:11

A sunny day doesn’t mean heatwave.

Tableforjoan · 14/06/2026 20:09

Arlanymor · 14/06/2026 20:09

I believe so. But to be fair - thick black smoke in a garden isn't acceptable. Unless that is an exaggeration too?

Show quote history

Definitely.

That would indicate something being burnt that shouldn’t be but based on the heatwave maybe it’s just grey smoke while it got going 😅

TheCurious0range · 14/06/2026 20:09

Flamingojune · 14/06/2026 20:08

You must be bored

Show quote history

Yep

Cooshawn · 14/06/2026 20:09

A pleasant day isn't the same thing as a heatwave.

Behave yourself and stop being so dramatic.

Arlanymor · 14/06/2026 20:09

Tableforjoan · 14/06/2026 20:06

So op had a sunny day and declared it a heatwave 😂

Show quote history

I believe so. But to be fair - thick black smoke in a garden isn't acceptable. Unless that is an exaggeration too?

Tableforjoan · 14/06/2026 20:08

Flamingojune · 14/06/2026 20:08

You must be bored

Show quote history

I mean it’s not that hard to open the weather app on the uk map 🤷🏻‍♀️

Flamingojune · 14/06/2026 20:08

TheCurious0range · 14/06/2026 20:04

I can't find anywhere in the sw where it's been more than 23 today

You must be bored

Tableforjoan · 14/06/2026 20:06

Arlanymor · 14/06/2026 20:05

There is no heatwave anyway across the UK today - also to be a heatwave it has to be three consecutive days of 27+ I think? So there is no 'one day' heatwave and also nowhere in the UK was 27+ today.

Show quote history

So op had a sunny day and declared it a heatwave 😂

Arlanymor · 14/06/2026 20:05

TheCurious0range · 14/06/2026 20:04

I can't find anywhere in the sw where it's been more than 23 today

There is no heatwave anyway across the UK today - also to be a heatwave it has to be three consecutive days of 27+ I think? So there is no 'one day' heatwave and also nowhere in the UK was 27+ today.

BrazilBalls · 14/06/2026 20:05

Prunellaprim · 14/06/2026 19:57

It's not a heatwave. It is a mildly warm day. When do you want them to have a bonfire?

In the autumn? Or winter? When it's socially acceptable?

TheCurious0range · 14/06/2026 20:04

I can't find anywhere in the sw where it's been more than 23 today

angelikacpickles · 14/06/2026 20:02

Prunellaprim · 14/06/2026 19:57

It's not a heatwave. It is a mildly warm day. When do you want them to have a bonfire?

Never seems reasonable.

Arlanymor · 14/06/2026 20:02

Foul smoke billowing into your garden is unacceptable regardless of the time of day or the weather situation (where are you that there is a heatwave? Not in the UK then). Thick black smoke is unacceptable regardless of whether you have stuff out on the line or not - it sounds toxic.

Original poster
geewizzpop · 14/06/2026 20:02

We’ve had a heatwave in the SW

OP posts:
CheeseWisely · 14/06/2026 20:00

Not the point but if the outside temperature is warmer than the inside temperature the last thing you want to do is open the windows.

hardliquormixedwithabitofintellect · 14/06/2026 20:00

There is no heatwave but the fire does sound annoying

bignewprinz · 14/06/2026 19:59

Yes, completely inconsiderate. Bonfires in residential gardens should be banned.

Weekmindedfool · 14/06/2026 19:57

We lit one yesterday afternoon. Minimal smoke as the wood was dry. If they have thick black smoke I’d be concerned what they are burning. Tyres?

VIII · 14/06/2026 19:57

What heatwave?

Yes it's inconsiderate but it's not against the law and they presumably don't do it every time there is a dry day. So whilst I would be a bit annoyed at the washing smelling like smoke it's not worth falling out over.

Swipe left for the next trending thread