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Traditional garden fires have become virtually extinct across Britain – with just one in 14 gardeners disposing of green waste with an outdoor fire pit.
Many will no doubt welcome the disappearance of the smoke that spreads over the fence and the smoke that turns black. But instead, bonfires have given way to people tearing down grass clippings, dry leaves and cut branches, according to research.
Three in five respondents said the reasons they rejected open fires was because they lived in a “smoke control area.”
But although these zones prohibit households from releasing smoke from a chimney, people can light bonfires as long as they do not burn household waste that causes pollution or pose a health risk, or let smoke drift across roads.
But instead, bonfires have given way to people dropping grass clippings, dry leaves and chopped branches, according to research.
Three in five respondents said the reasons they rejected open fires was because they lived in a “smoke control area.”
A fifth of the 2,000 UK adults who responded to the Churchill Home Insurance survey avoided open fires because they feared they would disturb their neighbours. More than half (56 per cent) used their council's green bin service to dispose of garden waste, while a quarter went to the local tip.
But one in 14 (7 per cent) admitted illegally throwing away garden waste, risking fines and a criminal conviction.
The report said: “Once a common sight and smell across Britain, the garden fire is close to becoming extinct. Unfortunately, there are those who still do not dispose of their garden waste responsibly, with 7% admitting to littering.
'Even though people may simply assume that grass cuttings will be biodegradable, they could face a £400 fine if they are caught, and if this happens persistently they could be prosecuted and fined up to £50,000 in court. '
One in five respondents were irritated by neighbors who light fires. More than half said that campfires made sitting outside unpleasant, and the same number complained that it made dirty laundry smell.
Other complaints included the risk of fire and the health impact of smoke.
Around 38 percent did not know that they could be fined if the smoke from the fire reached a public road.
The majority of respondents – 65 per cent – have never complained about a fire, with just over one in ten confronting a neighbour. The same percentage said they had turned to social media to vent their fury at the bonfires, while 9% filed a complaint with their council.
Sarah Khan, from the insurer, said: 'It's great that so many people are using local authority services to dispose of garden waste responsibly. Most councils compost and use it as fertilizer.
“As people become more aware of the environment, their neighbors and health and safety, we are seeing a massive decline in home fires. While some may feel nostalgic for the smell of smoke, thousands of others will be grateful they don't have to pull out their clothes to wash or breathe in the smoke.
