Firefighters still alarmed by 999 calls to bonfires across Northamptonshire

Bonfires are still giving Northamptonshire's firefighters a headache more six weeks after the county's rubbish tips reopened.

Fire & Rescue Service chiefs reported a spike in the number of 999 calls to deal with garden fires while household waste recycling centres were closed for two months during the Covid-19 crisis.

But Northants' prevention team leader Darren Carson says burning rubbish is still a problem, even though the tips have been open again since May 18.

Mr Carson said: “We always want people to ring the Fire Service when they are worried about a fire that could be out of control – and this includes bonfires.

"But people can prevent avoidable fires by opting for waste disposal methods other than burning.

“Although bonfires aren’t officially banned anywhere, we do want people to understand the impact their decision to have a bonfire can have on the emergency services, and also to neighbours for whom smoke is often a nuisance and a worry.

“With the Household Waste Recycling Centres now open again, we would encourage people to either use these or find composting and storage alternatives to burning.

Although bonfires are not banned in Northamptonshire, NFRS is urging the public to avoid using fire to burn waste as it often leads to avoidable call-outs – which could mean vital services are redirected from other potential emergencies.

Firefighters were called to two ‘out of control’ bonfires in Moulton and Kettering on Wednesday (July 1) where residents would not be able to put the fire out safely themselves or that the blaze is at risk of spreading dangerously.

Another call in Wellingborugh last week was at 2.30am to a fire that had not been put out properly and was still burning into the early hours of the morning.

In some circumstances, firefighters have been called to bonfires which are still technically under control. In these cases, owners may have become afraid they wouldn’t be able to put the fire out, or smoke from a fire has prompted a neighbour to become concerned and ring 999.

In these situations, the Fire Service is called out but no action is taken.

Yet people should be aware that smoke from bonfires can create air pollution and cause issues for people suffering from some health conditions.

Local councils will take action where smoke causes a nuisance, so people are urged to show consideration.

If anyone is concerned about a neighbour having repeated bonfires, please make contact with your local or district council for advice.