Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To report neighbour for having a large open bonfire

64 replies

Squirrelsnut · 29/07/2026 16:08

I'm staying with family in a very rural area. It's extremely dry and warm, surrounded by tinder-dry fields and woods. The neighbour has lit a big bonfire in a smallish orchard area, quite close to our house! The fire is near the hedge and seems quite large.
Should I report it to the non-emergency number, or is that busybodiness?

OP posts:
valadon68 · 29/07/2026 17:22

Yikes OP. Glad it's sorted. I would do what you can to properly douse the area of the fire, for peace of mind.

To poster with fire pit, polite Q - do you realise that in summer people are probably counting down the hours till it cools down enough to open windows before they go to bed? And that, given the apocalyptic scenes on our screens, lots of people are going to be quite anxious at the smell of smoke, knowing it only takes one rogue spark for things to flare when everything is parched like this...

OrangeFlower14 · 29/07/2026 17:10

DaisyGivemeyouranswer · 29/07/2026 16:59

We had a little fire in the garden a couple of weeks ago, we waited until 1130pm until it was a bit cooler, and we have a fire pit. 3 strapping fireman came in the back gate and scared the shit out of us - someone had called 999.

Show quote history

What was it for though? Why did you want to fire? It's not winter. I understand a lovely garden fire pit when it's cold outside but not now.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 29/07/2026 17:09

Can’t you put them on the bonfire?

OrangeFlower14 · 29/07/2026 17:06

Squirrelsnut · 29/07/2026 16:53

OK, so DH caught him as he was leaving the bonfire and getting into his car 🙄🙄 . He went back to put some water on it...
Baffling.

He was leaving the bonfire?

Okay, that I even I would've reported to 999!

Is it completely out now?

euff · 29/07/2026 17:06

Cla7 · 29/07/2026 16:46

Please don’t misuse emergency services for a neighbour dispute, your neighbour having a bonfire which you don’t like isn’t an emergency.

It’s not a neighbour dispute, it’s not because there is a smell of smoke, it’s not because she has her laundry out. It’s because it’s in an area that’s very dry and could go up and take her home and life with it. It’s dangerous and stupid.

DaisyGivemeyouranswer · 29/07/2026 16:59

OneNaiceSnail · 29/07/2026 16:22

What is with the never ending reporting nowadays? I certainly don’t be phoning 999??! Do people keno what 999 is for?

We had a little fire in the garden a couple of weeks ago, we waited until 1130pm until it was a bit cooler, and we have a fire pit. 3 strapping fireman came in the back gate and scared the shit out of us - someone had called 999.

AbzMoz · 29/07/2026 16:58

Phone 999 and say you’ve seen a lot of smoke coming from the orchard area at street name.
I cannot believe how stupid some people are. They need the emergency services to tell them how dangerous this is, not least as they’re dumb enough to leave it unattended.

RandomFireworks · 29/07/2026 16:58

Sereine · 29/07/2026 16:52

For all we know, they're taking every precaution and not being stupid at all.

Show quote history

If they were taking every precaution and not being stupid at all they wouldn’t be having a bonfire during a drought in the first place !!

TemporarilyCantDoMyself · 29/07/2026 16:56

Squirrelsnut · 29/07/2026 16:53

OK, so DH caught him as he was leaving the bonfire and getting into his car 🙄🙄 . He went back to put some water on it...
Baffling.

He was going out and leaving it?
That's just beyond irresponsible. Report the fucker.

Whosthetabbynow · 29/07/2026 16:55

Dickhead. Entitled dickhead

LakieLady · 29/07/2026 16:54

Having a bonfire when it's this hot and dry is really irresponsible imo. I'm not surprised your MIL is concerned.

I'm also intrigued by references upthread to the "non-emergency number". The fire brigade here doesn't have a non-emergency number, only the switchboard number for the fire service HQ, which will be closed in 5 minutes.

TemporarilyCantDoMyself · 29/07/2026 16:54

Is there a garden hose you can reach it with?
I'd be very tempted just to put it out myself, or at least wet the ground/growth between the fire and the property you're on.
Whilst also phoning the fire brigade to report and get advice.

Original poster
Squirrelsnut · 29/07/2026 16:53

OK, so DH caught him as he was leaving the bonfire and getting into his car 🙄🙄 . He went back to put some water on it...
Baffling.

OP posts:
Sereine · 29/07/2026 16:52

RampantIvy · 29/07/2026 16:45

The wildfire near my sister's house the other day started as a bonfire.

Why are people so stupid?

For all we know, they're taking every precaution and not being stupid at all.

hydriotaphia · 29/07/2026 16:47

The point isn’t that she doesn’t like the fire, the point is that it has been lit in a wooded area near properties with people inside during an exceptionally dry period. It is dangerous and should be put out before it spreads.

LatteLady · 29/07/2026 16:47

Call your Council switchboard... doubtful it is against the bye laws but say you are concerned in the current drought circs and who should you call?

Cla7 · 29/07/2026 16:46

Please don’t misuse emergency services for a neighbour dispute, your neighbour having a bonfire which you don’t like isn’t an emergency.

hydriotaphia · 29/07/2026 16:46

I had cause to report a small fire by 999, wasn’t sure if it was the right thing but was reassured by fire service that if in doubt report by the emergency number so it can be triaged.

RampantIvy · 29/07/2026 16:45

The wildfire near my sister's house the other day started as a bonfire.

Why are people so stupid?

Original poster
Squirrelsnut · 29/07/2026 16:42

It's in a locked-off area with a large gate. He's quite deaf, apparently, so it'll be difficult to speak to him.
Thanks for the advice everyone.

OP posts:
Roseshavethorns · 29/07/2026 16:31

Is the neighbour out there tending to it? If so I would nip out and have a discussion. If not I would call the non emergency number and just tell them that you are concerned about an unattended bonfire.

Menier · 29/07/2026 16:31

What muppets, why on earth do they need a bonfire now?
Personally I'd probably go round but I understand you or your MIL may not wish to do that.
Emergency services might actually take it seriously or at least possibly come round and have a word with them. Ask for the Fire Brigade though.

OrangeFlower14 · 29/07/2026 16:26

Call the local fire brigade

Don't call 999.

Minasama · 29/07/2026 16:25

IronEverything · 29/07/2026 16:16

I'd call 999 for this. They can decide whether it's an emergency or not but I wouldn't wait until it's too late. What absolute fools they are.

It is only an emergency if the fire is spreading or if someone has been severely injured. Please don’t stop someone reporting a true emergency like a stroke or heart attack from getting through…

middleagedandinarage · 29/07/2026 16:25

category12 · 29/07/2026 16:13

Or just go round and say "I'm a bit worried about the size of your bonfire, Bob".

Exactly, surely no need to phone emergency services when it's not actually doing any damage atm.

Swipe left for the next trending thread