Published: 2 September 2026
What to do if you are worried about a bonfire
If you think a bonfire is out of control, causing excessive smoke or is safety hazard call 999 and ask for Fire.
If a bonfire is causing smoke to drift across a road and become a danger to traffic, please contact the Police
To report a neighbour’s persistent or harmful bonfires to Tewkesbury Borough Council (TBC), you must submit a smoke nuisance complaint to their Environmental Health department. While individual garden bonfires are not illegal, they become actionable if the smoke causes a statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
How to Report the Bonfire Nuisance
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Use the Online Portal: Submit a report directly through the Tewkesbury Borough Council Self-Service Portal by selecting the Bonfires / Environmental Health option.
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Email Environmental Health: Send your complaint details directly to ehenquiries@tewkesbury.gov.uk.
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Call Customer Services: For immediate advice or to report over the phone, call the council on 01684 295010.
What Information You Need to Provide
To initiate an investigation, the council will require you to provide:
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Your name, address, and contact details (anonymous complaints are generally not investigated).
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The exact address or location where the bonfire is being lit.
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A description of what is being burned (e.g., household plastics, rubber, green garden waste).
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The frequency and duration of the fires, and exactly how the smoke impacts you (e.g., preventing you from opening windows or causing breathing issues)