Burning is not generally an acceptable or safe way of getting rid of waste material. As well as potentially causing a nuisance to neighbours, smoke can damage a person’s health and increase background levels of air pollution.
Alternatives to garden bonfires include re-cycling and composting.
The council's Environmental Health Services investigates complaints about odours, smoke and air pollution from bonfires, chimneys and other sources, and can take legal action where appropriate.
If you are bothered by smoke from a garden bonfire in your neighbourhood, the best thing to do is politely point out the problem to whoever is responsible for lighting the fire. In most cases, they won't have realised that smoke from the fire may be causing a nuisance. If your neighbours aren't willing to co-operate, or you don't know who is responsible for the bonfire, you can report it to Environmental Health Services and we will investigate the problem and take appropriate action.
If the bonfire is on commercial premises it is probably best to report it to Environmental Health Services in the first place.
The Highways Act 1980 makes it an offence to light a fire and allow smoke to drift across a public highway where it could endanger traffic. If you feel bonfire smoke is causing a danger to road traffic, you should report it to the police.
You can find more information about bonfires and the law on the government information website, DirectGov. Follow the link from this page.
Bonfire night celebrations
in Leeds
Every November, for bonfire night, Leeds City Council hosts spectacular bonfires and firework displays at major public parks across the city. The main event is usually held at Roundhay Park in North Leeds, but other smaller bonfires are sometimes lit elsewhere. Keep an eye out for details on the front page of this website in early November.