To report neighbour for having a large open bonfire

[Squirrelsnut]

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?

I would.

Given the drought I would.

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

It probably isn't illegal. Your best bet is the fire service not police. They can attend and decide if it is a risk.

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.

Aren't they?! The mind boggles.

Yes I also would call 999 for the fire service given the conditions.

Yes.

1. this is how wild fires start

2. we had a neighbour regularly have bonfires, one time he didn’t put it out properly. Woke up to an inferno in our garden

It's MIL's house, she's 86 and worried.

..but she's worried about antagonising the neighbour.

I'd speak to them first.

If they're bolshy about it, then report.

Don't bother speaking to them and don't worry about upsetting them. Have you not seen the fires in the news?

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

Go and knock on their door. This is in no way 999 worthy.

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

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…

Call the local fire brigade

Don't call 999.

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.

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.

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.

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

Why are people so stupid?

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.

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

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?

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.