Petition · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Restrict building public bonfires to within 48 hours of the event

Closed 105 signatures

What the petition asks

Many bonfires are assembled for a long time before the event and in some cases unknown waste is dumped on to the bonfire. This could damage the health of bystanders and wildlife. Animals which have started to nest in the bonfire before the event can also be burnt alive, this cannot happen anymore.
Combined, public bonfires can burn the equivalent of 1000's of trees. I believe this pollution harms human health, particularly the lungs, and negatively affects wildlife, and that the burning of certain materials, especially treated wood, plastic, and household waste, releases even more harmful toxins. The combustion of materials like pallets, especially when treated or inappropriate items are burned, generates dark smoke and soot.

Timeline

9 Oct 2025 Petition opened for signatures
9 Apr 2026 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 105
Status Closed
Department Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Opened 9 Oct 2025
Closed 9 Apr 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 12 Aug 2026.