Bonfires

Bonfires are permitted at certain locations only and must be risk assessed. The risk assessment, and any associated documentation, must be reviewed and approved by the Council prior to the event.

To safely operate an event involving a bonfire, event organisers will:

• Ensure a robust and sufficiently powerful torch is available and used.
• Build the bonfire on the day of the display and carry out checks prior to ignition.
• Ensure bonfires are no more than 3 metres in diameter and are stable. It is likely therefore that they will be no more than 2 metres high.
• Ensure bonfires are sited at least 15 metres from buildings and hedges.
• Take wind conditions on the evening of the event into consideration.
• Ensure that in dry conditions, the area around the fire must be damped down one hour before lighting and again once the bonfire has been extinguished.
• Ensure that fires are not lit in high winds where airborne embers could set fire to clothing, neighbouring property, hedges, etc. and where smoke could cause a nuisance to neighbours of the Council premises and road users.
• Ensure the area around the fire is clearly cordoned off to prevent unauthorised access.
• Ensure adequate supplies of water or other forms of extinguisher are available to control the fire in an emergency.
• Ensure a fire blanket is available in the event of a person’s clothing catching fire.
• Carefully consider the materials to be used to build the bonfire. No materials which burn to produce toxic fumes, such as old foam filled furniture, or any items which might explode, e.g. paint cans, batteries and aerosols, are to be used.
• Ensure no flammable liquids such as petrol, paraffin or other flammable liquids are used to light the bonfire.
• Ensure that personnel and spectators are at a safe distance before lighting the bonfire.
• Ensure that all remaining embers are extinguished at the end of the event.
• Ensure that debris is cleared away and removed from site the following morning. Consideration will be given to re-seeding or re-turfing following the bonfire.

Ensure that no spent fireworks are thrown onto the bonfire under any circumstances.

For additional information, please contact the HR Service Desk.