Fires. Specifically domestic bonfires. It’s a subject of increasing irritation and intense frustration.
I can’t quite fathom out why people feel the need to light a bonfire. Especially nowadays (other than on actual bonfire night, that is [is that still a thing?]), what with all the environmental issues that are constantly at the forefront of the news (e.g. global warming), why would people choose to deliberately contribute to global warming and pollute the atmosphere at the same time. It’s beyond me. And it irritates me intensely.
Sure, years ago, there were lots of people regularly setting fire to their waste (usually garden waste like hedge cuttings, tree trimming etc.) in their own gardens with nary a thought towards what they were doing to the environment.
But nowadays, there ought to be enough information around to educate even the most reclusive of people about the planet’s environmental issues. And there are many ways to avoid this. There are recycling centres and garden waste collections. There’s no longer a need to burn anything in your garden. And yet most days, I am still met by the smell of fires when I go outside. Usually for most of the day.
Covid-19
We all know what Covid-19 is, right? We’ve all been isolated indoors because of it, we’ve suffered from it, and some of us have unfortunately died from it. Whilst most of us are now multi-vaccinated against it, it’s still around. The big thing about it was that it affects the lungs – specifically the the respiratory system, causing breathing issues for some people.
Yet throughout that lockdown (and still now) people are lighting bonfires. What do you want to do when you have caught Covid-19: breathe. Preferably fresh air, not polluted air.
For Example:
A couple of doors away from me in my village resides a builder. It’s a nice house and he has a garden. A garden in which he regularly burns his building waste. If he has a job going, this will be daily. It’s usually a substantial fire, burning quite a lot of different materials, producing thick plumes of smoke for hours on end.
Depending on which way the wind is blowing, this can have no direct effect on me, but it’ll sure as hell affect someone downwind. Sometimes the wind is blowing on my direction – the only option then is to keep all the windows closed for the duration of the fire – which could last well into the next day (when it starts all over again).
All well and good in winter, but in summer – not so good if you want your windows open for a cooling breeze. Or, to breathe. And he has no concept of which way his smoke will go. He cares not, just wants to burn his rubbish instead of responsibly disposing of it.
Not just him though – as I live in a village, I am surrounded by farmland (and therefore farmers) and other village residents. Farmers are wont to have large fires too – notably in hedge cutting season when trees and hedges are cut, gathered into the centre of a field and then burnt. Like the builder, the Farmer or the resident cares not in which way the wind is blowing. It’s resulted on many an occasion of clouds of smoke descending on the village. Sometimes so thick that it becomes a hazard for vehicles driving through.
Back in the old days, I would consider the people that light fires to be selfish. No consideration for other people (or the environment), just themselves.
Smelly!
Aside from the obvious pollution issues, throwing chemicals into the air (and not forgetting the waste gases), there is the issue of the smell.
Fire smoke smells. Sometimes, the smell is tolerable, sometimes not. In my experience – it stinks! Not only that, the smell tends to linger on clothes, walls, curtains, furniture. If I’ve left my windows open (in summer) and someone lights a fire and I don’t notice in time – the rooms in which the windows are open – will smell of smoke for days. And that is not pleasant to live with, but especially not at mealtimes or bedtime.
Weary sarcasm.
At the time of writing this post, the Country is in the midst of what’s being called a “cost of living crisis”. Inflation (and interest rates) are on the up, making things – including electricity – more expensive. To the point where some households require assistance paying for their bills.
But don’t worry! Instead of using your expensive-to-run tumble drier, you can dry your clothes on a washing line in the garden! Except we can’t most of the time, because the air is full of smoke. The smell of smoke on washing lingers for a long time and will take a few washes to clear (negating the cost saved by hanging it out in the first place).
Is a fire really necessary?
Wouldn’t it be lovely if people stopped and thought about whether or not they needed to light a bonfire. As mentioned previously, there really is no need at all.
There should now be plenty of ways in which you can responsibly dispose of garden waste, or burnable waste. Be it through the local Council recycling schemes, or through environmentally friendly actions like composting.
So instead of lighting that fire, consider the environmental impact you’re having and consider not being so bloody selfish!
Then we can all save a few quid on our electric bills, have lovely fresh smelling clothes and have some lovely fresh air!