Don’t Burn It!

Blackpool residents are being warned of the dangers of garden fires, in a novel initiative led by BSafe Blackpool.

At a time of year when many of us are spending more time outdoors, Blackpool Council and the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service are joining forces to crack down on the number of call-outs to properties where households are burning waste.

Not only are garden fires bad for the environment and neighbourly relations, but importantly firefighters want to save their time and resources for more serious incidents.

In the first partnership of its kind for Lancashire, the two bodies - which form part of BSafe Blackpool - are taking direct action. They are educating the public that rubbish fires are not acceptable and encouraging them to use alternative means of disposing their waste.

In rare cases where residents are ignoring the advice, it can lead to prosecution.

The initiative came about after firefighters on South Shore White Watch complained about the excess number of call-outs in a short space of time, sometimes the same property again and again. Frustratingly, they had little enforcement powers.

Supported by the Council’s Environmental Services, and with funding from BSafe Blackpool, an information campaign was launched and since March this year approximately 30 residents have been targeted.

Dave Swallow, Station Manager for South Shore and Bispham, explained: “The remit of the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service is to reduce fires, but there have been a spate of garden fires in a short space of time. These were nothing short of nuisance fires - to us, the public and the environment. On occasions they can even develop out of control.

“We’ve teamed up with the Council to form a new protocol. If we’re now called out to a garden fire we extinguish it, issue the householder with an information leaflet, and log the incident with Environmental Services, who then send a further letter of advice warning them that garden fires are not acceptable and are liable for prosecution.

“The pilot is an initiative that’s very important, it enables us to focus our attention on the incidents that matter – and not be tied up with the minor ones.”

Residents have been known to burn all kinds of rubbish - fromthree-piece suites, to building materials. Burning waste produces smoke that potentially pollutes the air, and can damage people’s health. The smoke can also prevent neighbours from opening their windows, enjoying sitting out in their gardens and hanging out their washing.

Dave Rothwell, Blackpool Council’s Head of Environmental Services, said: “Although some people think burning rubbish in their garden is acceptable, and they’ve been doing it for years, it can be very anti-social and in certain instances dangerous.

“When Lancashire Fire and Rescue approached us for help we were happy to assist and flex our muscles under the Environmental Protection Act of 1990. At this stage we want to remind people of their responsibilities and educate them. However, we can issue formal notices if people chose to ignore our warnings.”

He added that people are urged to look at alternatives, such as recycling, composting, using the facilities at the Household Waste Recycling Team, as well as the Council’s household removal services.

Should the pilot scheme prove successful it could be rolled out across other parts of the county.