Chesterfield council issues important bonfire message to homeowners

Smoke from bonfires can be particularly harmful for people with asthma and other respiratory conditions.

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With people confined to their homes it means smoke is more likely to present a nuisance to others.

Bonfires also have the potential to get out of control quickly, which could place an unnecessary burden on the emergency services.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We would ask that our residents do not light bonfires as the smoke they produce may cause a nuisance to their neighbours, and in some cases have a really negative effect on people’s health.

“Chesterfield Borough Council is working hard to maintain a garden waste collection service through the period of the coronavirus lockdown, and so there is no need for people to be burning materials in their gardens.”

A council spokesperson added: “While recycling centres are closed across the county, Chesterfield Borough Council is continuing to collect garden waste from residents’ homes in order to stop this building up in people’s gardens.

“The council will take enforcement action against any persistent offenders where bonfires are causing a nuisance to their neighbours.”

Firefighters have been called to a spate of bonfires in Derbyshire in recent days.

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said that if people have to have a controlled burning then they should call 01332 861800.

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