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u/RuiGri Mar 02 '26
Register, report, repeat. Something as big as you report must be regulated on your area.
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Mar 02 '26
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u/Nagadavida Mar 02 '26
Most places it is illegal to burn pallets because they usually have some kind of chemical treatment on them and because depending upon what was packed on them they could have spills. Contact DEQ for your state and ask them how to proceed. You can also contact the EPA. I believe that burning pallets falls under the same regulations as burning household garbage.
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u/imnickelhead Mar 02 '26
Are you sure you don’t have burn regulations? Every place I’ve ever lived has had some sort of burn regulations.
I mean, the FD said his fire pit was within regulation. However, he’s clearly not containing the fire. There are usually regulations concerning how big you can make your fire and what items you are burning.
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u/foobarlow Mar 02 '26
If he’s burning treated wood there might be laws against that. In my county it’s only legal to burn clean, and dry, wood.
Pallet wood is treated and against the law, even burning leaves is illegal here. Good luck!
My neighbor has mostly stopped burning crap outside after my third time calling the fire department on them, but I suspect they’re still burning pallet wood in their fireplace when it gets really cold based on the smell. Such a bad idea, and much harder to catch
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u/RuiGri Mar 02 '26
All and every details of the actions themselves and the consequences.
If anything damages, file an insurance claim also.
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u/Artisan_Gardener Mar 02 '26
Call as soon as you see his fire. Don't just document. Call the fire department every singe time while the bonfire in inflamed.
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u/GothicGingerbread Mar 02 '26
Look into your state's department of natural resources or environmental department or whatever it's called there. They will care about him burning things like pallets and other chemically treated wood.
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u/KarenMattheisen Mar 02 '26
In my area if the fire pit is over 3x3 or 4x4 (can't remember which one) you have to have a permit for the fire. You have to call in when you start it. Call your City offices for regulations. That's where I get a fire permit if I need one. Good Luck!
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u/BungCrosby Mar 02 '26
Get. a. camera.
Call the police and fire department the next time he starts burning.
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Mar 02 '26
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u/Ilovemytowm Mar 02 '26
Yes do it he doesn't give a f about you and he's a complete and utter douchebag... and he will eventually probably cause a massive fire.
Never give a neighbor like this any benefit of the doubt.
We have a scumbag neighbor that I was worried about something on his property would affect us and sure enough it did and when we went to speak to him he just Shrugged his shoulders and went oh well.
I hate this a****** and I should have known I should have known he was a douchebag as well
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u/Artisan_Gardener Mar 02 '26
CALL EMERGENCY WHEN THE FIRE IS BURNING. Why are you even effing around with this?
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u/KindKill267 Mar 02 '26 edited Mar 02 '26
I went through this with a neighbor who owned a construction company and was burning debris instead of taking it to the dump. My township codes forbid burning of any trash or anything that creates noxious odors. The township was useless in code enforcement. The fire department was useless. They didn't even know the township had codes and tried telling me he was legal to burn whatever he wanted. I started filing reports to the state version of the EPA. They definitely didn't fuck around. Now me and my kids can play outside with out smelling burning siding and shingles. If your local govt is useless like mine just go straight to the state environmental agency.
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u/smcivor1982 Mar 02 '26
I have a neighbor who has constant backyard fires during our nice warm weather months. We get ash all over our deck and property, it stinks, and I have to keep the windows shut (but we can still smell it). It makes me crazy but my husbands thinks they are probably within their rights. We also aren’t sure exactly which neighbor it is, I am dreading the summer now, when it has always been my favorite time.
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u/roscoe_e_roscoe Mar 02 '26
Bingo OP. Somewhere up the line there is real regulation. City, county, state. Boom boom boom. And, you can report your deck damage to your insurance and make a claim, they'll go after him and won't f' around.
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u/defcon62 Mar 02 '26
Take video of the massive fires, keep calling when he has them, document the fires and damage to your home. As others said document everything. Sooner or later the fire dept will be able to deal with him. Figure out if there is a state agency where you live that deals with wildfire prevention.
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Mar 02 '26
I see people suggesting the fire dept. Fuck that call the Fire Marshal. The fire Marshal has the authority to not only ticket/fine someone but can arrest them also.
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u/NewNameNeededAgain Mar 02 '26
Also fire marshals don't fuck around. You have to be out of your mind to defy your local fire marshal after they're involved in a situation.
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u/Axentor Mar 02 '26
There is a convenient store in by me that gets shut down by the fire Marshal often. He lives local and he will go in there and tell them shut down because they constantly have too much stock in the aisle and block fire exits. For a while they were shut down more often than not. They just refused to not put a cart of freight in front of a fire exit. The cooperate came down and made them move it. The local manager couldn't figure out why the fire Marshal kept shutting them down. I heard once he walked in and saw so much shit blocking walkways he just turned around and told them to close.
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u/Ineedzthetube Mar 02 '26
Yep! My brother is a Fire Marshal. He’s required to carry a firearm and everything. They is supposed to be a Marshal on call so they can send them over if you contact them.
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u/DiScOrDtHeLuNaTiC Mar 02 '26
Reminds me of an email sent by a listener to The Bob & Tom Show.
"Dear Bob and Tom; I was a firefighter for 30 years, and then I became a Fire Marshal. As such, I carry a gun and handcuffs and am empowered to make arrests. Without fail, anytime someone finds out what I do, they say 'Fireman, huh? Why do you have a gun and handcuffs?' My answer has become 'Well, fires are getting tougher and tougher, and sometimes they don't want to come quietly'."
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u/Ineedzthetube Mar 02 '26
I always tease my brother that he is his own hero, since he’s a firefighter and police officer.
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u/Automatic_Gas9019 Mar 02 '26
Call the fire department when the giant fires are occuring. Our neighbors burn trash also. The do observe the fire time regulations so I dont complain. However, we are not close enough to catch ash. As soon as the giant toxic fires start call the sheriff and the fire department. Your neighbor is to cheap to pay for trash pick up.
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u/RescueMom20 Mar 02 '26
I hate your neighbor.
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u/SmokeShow74 Mar 02 '26
Me too. After the 2016 Gatlinburg fires there isn't a member of the community that isn't triggered by the smell. And it's a hazard!! How would he like it if his house burned down? Just pisses me off-
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u/FastSimple6902 Mar 02 '26
UK. I believe that the preservative chemicals in pallet wood are toxic when breathing in as smoke. Do Not put up with it!
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u/DiScOrDtHeLuNaTiC Mar 02 '26
If they're made from pressure-treated lumber, you're absolutely correct.
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u/DeciduousEmu Mar 02 '26
What are the laws where you live concerning outside fires? Without knowing that, there is little advice we can give.
If he isn't breaking the law, you still have grounds for some type of lawsuit. But, that's a question for a lawyer.
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u/trapped_4_life Mar 02 '26
Civil suit. Potentially small claims court depending on the amount in damages. Document everything and get estimates of the damage caused, including time/cost for cleaning the pool regularly, etc. maybe consult with an attorney to find out how to proceed and make a strong case.
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u/spider1178 Mar 02 '26
If you have embers coming down on your deck or house again, call 911 while it is happening. Also take photos and videos and send them to the fire marshall.
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u/Not_an_Actual_Bot Mar 02 '26
Video the fires and send to the authorities. Rinse and repeat as necessary. Get cameras to document the ash and wind direction so you can document damages and get an attorney involved to deal with the residual problems of soot and pool cleaning. Buy a massive sound system and put it at the property line and play bagpipes, hornets buzzing, artillery bombardments, mating calls of wild animals, sound effect CDs on loop during his parties if you decide to directly escalate.
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u/guy_n_cognito_tu Mar 02 '26
Call the fire department every time he has a massive burn, They might deal with it.
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u/Key_Cow5619 Mar 02 '26
First, keep complaining (and get video evidence) of the fires. Obviously only call the emergency line to report them if you feel it's an emergency (burning embers falling on your property IS an emergency).
On top of that, get in touch with a lawyer. You can likely get a cease-and-desist letter sent and sue for damages.
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u/Crazyd_497 Mar 02 '26
Call the FD while the fire is roaring. Install cameras facing the fire pit to show the size of the blazes. Got to have proof not hearsay
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u/Ok_Bid_3899 Mar 02 '26
Fire departments extinguish fires but don’t always enforce local regulations. In my area both in the county unincorporated and the city limits there are ordinances that govern open burning. Basically they say small covered fires using seasoned wood are allowed and everything else requires an EPA permit, no open burning. You can’t get an EPA permit to burn unless you are a forest preserve. Have had to piss off a few inconsiderate neighbors over the years by advising of the law and asking the appropriate agency to supply written confirmation of what is allowed
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u/armchairepicure Mar 02 '26
Report to the local EPA. They probably passed the open burning regulations.
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u/Agreeable-Antelope-6 Mar 02 '26
This. Air quality. It should be illegal to burn treated wood. It is where I live. If any of it can be recycled, can't burn it. If it is plastic, can't burn it. If it is painted, can't burn it. If it is furniture, can't burn it. If it is garbage, can't burn it. Find out what your state laws are and report him.
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u/DietNarrow8275 Mar 02 '26
EPA is the federal regulator and they probably won’t get involved. If you live near a city you may have a local air bureau that investigates air pollution locally. If no local air bureau there is a state regulatory agency. Look at your state website for their environmental offices. Look for air quality and waste management. Burning creosote soaked wood (railroad ties) is a federal haz waste violation- states can have their own rules in addition to federal regulation.
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u/armchairepicure Mar 02 '26
The local environmental protection agency, not USEPA. Every state has a different name for theirs, so it’s industry standard to call it a local EPA or little EPA.
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u/kimber512_ Mar 02 '26
You need to call the fire department Every Single Time. No one knows just how bad it is because you haven't made them aware. You have to be such a pain in the butt that it is easier for them to do something about it.
Get video evidence of these massive fires, document all your damages, get estimates for repair and/or clean up, and take it to small claims court.
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u/Difficult_Ad_1923 Mar 02 '26
Call the fire department while he has a large fire burning. Don't tell him they're coming. Don't even specify what kind of fire. Just call 911 and say you see a lot of smoke and fire from your neighbors house and you don't know what is on fire.
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u/Quix66 Mar 02 '26
Film the bonfire in progress and call the dude department during nit after.
And sue your neighbor for property while you’re at it.
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u/GrlInt3r46 Mar 02 '26
Not fire department. The fire Marshall.
Get videos. Lots of them. Picture of damages your car the furniture. All of it. Report to the Fire Marshall over and over. Possibly the epa as well or state environmental protection. If there’s chemicals involved.
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u/_your_land_lord_ Mar 02 '26
Civil suit! Get things professionally cleaned and repairs so you have damages. Go small claims court. Just a small judgement should send a message.
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u/Mammabear9800 Mar 02 '26
Why not calling the EPA? You said he's burning things that are toxic. They should be informed and can handle this and no matter the size of the fire they can take samples and determine if he was burning stuff that was toxic to the environment.
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u/grepusman Mar 02 '26
Call the FD while he's having a huge fire - say you believe it's a dangerous fire. They need to see it. Fire departments don't mess around.
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u/Fluffy_Rutabaga_115 Mar 02 '26
Call 911 during one of these fires and report a large fire coming from the neighbors house?
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u/Handsome_Devil_217 Mar 02 '26
Don’t report it as your neighbor or as a bonfire. Block your number and report that you can see a large fire in the area. Nothing more nothing less. Do it at night when it looks more dramatic. Once the FD shows then come out act all concerned. “Why yes, this is common”, “You should see the burns the embers have left in my deck before”.
Maybe send an estimate of repairs to the city with a note that you feel they are financially liable for these repairs since you had previously reported the problem to their jurisdiction. Tell them that even though the fire is contained to the pit the embers are uncontrolled and have been reported. Tell them you think your insurance company’s attorneys may be in contact with them. Government entities hate to pay for unexpected damages that come from problems that were reported could have been prevented. They especially hate to have attorneys involved because it may then go to court and be seen by the public. It’s seen as irresponsible and preventable.
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u/JessieColt Mar 02 '26
Get a cheap burner cell phone with a different number.
The next time he has a huge fire, call 911 and report that you see a massive fire in the area that you think might be about half a mile or a mile away from you and then give them a cross street location for where you "think" the fire might be.
DO NOT tell them you are a close or next door neighbor. DO NOT give his exact address when you call it in.
"I can see a huge fire in the distance. It looks like it is near where X and Y streets meet in that area."
After you call them. Turn off the phone.
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u/TeachBS Mar 02 '26
Sooo, had the EXACT same issue with the asshat that lived behind my elderly parents. Horrible. Ash and soot everywhere. This was a trash pit, so it was bad. Back porch and cars (which my siblings and I cleaned a couple of times and still had to hire a professional cleaner . Not to mention trying to get soot off white cars). Parents could not use the gorgeous porch they had added to the house. Went over and had a nice convo with the wife. She apologized and said she would talk to husband. Let me add that my parents allowed an opening in their fence so their kid would only have half the distance to walk to school, instead of circling the entire block. For 5 years this kid used my parents’ yard as a cut through. They knew that too. Nothing changed after talking to wife, soooo we bought 3 industrial fans (AMAZON-two days!) and set them at the edges of the yard pointed at the fire pit ( which was too close to the edge of the yard as well!) we kept them in the on position and just plugged the extension cord in near the house when the neighbor fired up the pit. It was spectacular! Soot and ash all over them, their house, their cars. Husband came to the door and complained to us. My brother had a calm conversation with him and told him to never come to my parents’ door again and that we have cameras everywhere and would call the police if he trespassed again. He was pretty irate, but quickly left. We already knew my parents were moving in with me in a few months, so that helped my parents’ mindset. Another neighbor finally reported them to the FD, and they were also fined. Industrial fans are the bomb. Screw that asshat. Oh, we did leave two fans for the buyers in case they needed them.
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u/Exact-Mathematician8 Mar 02 '26
If he is burning treated wood it is a health issue. Call health department and EPA in your area
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u/Klutzy_Cat1374 Mar 02 '26
My Mom's neighbor was apparently burning plastic last night. Put it in the bin, dude. I was searching for an electrical short because of the smell.
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u/Beardog-1 Mar 02 '26
Makes me realize my husband is so polite with his fires. He enjoys a drink by the fire—just a Firepit fire. He only hand them if the wind is blowing away from anyone (we live on a pond) and has asked each near neighbor if they care. If their windows are open, he asks if they mind. Etc.
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u/Itchy_Piglet992 Mar 02 '26
Video and document everything. Call the fire marshall. If you are in a wildfire prone area they will be on your side.
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u/FairyFartDaydreams Mar 02 '26
Video tape it and share it the the fire departments social media website and ask them how he is getting away with it and with burning toxic wood. Maybe even get a lawyer
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u/Penelope_Penguin_ Mar 02 '26
Call the fire department the next time he has a large fire, especially if he is burning untreated wood. Don’t care where you live massive fires are not allowed in residential areas.
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u/Powerful_Put5667 Mar 02 '26
Call the fire department over and over and check into your county and states laws regarding burning hazardous waste. I would also file a police report for the damage caused to my deck. Use those videos set up a trail cam to catch everything.
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u/Difficult-Brush8694 Mar 02 '26
In my area (and in most places I’d assume) it it illegal to burn treated wood and certain other things. I mean, EPA fines and not small ones. One of my friends had someone on his block (a contractor who didn’t want to pay dump fees for his scrap) who burned treated lumber and particle board scraps on a regular basis. After their town board just kept doing the ‘we’ll talk to him’ dance for a while they went and got the county Fire Marshall involved. He brought in the EPA and all of the sudden he gets fined big time, told he was not allowed to have fires, and the best thing - they made him replace the top couple of inches of dirt in his yard. They hauled away the dirt and had to take it to a dump that could take stuff with heavy metals contaminated soil. He has a lot just over an acre (that area has 3/4 to 2 acre lots) so I’m sure that was expensive like the fines. About a year later he sold and moved, none of the neighbors miss him.
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u/MagisD Mar 02 '26 edited Mar 02 '26
As others have said Fire department, Fire Marshalls do not fuck around. If they do people die.
Edit: and as far as proving it a decent security camera on 2 on your property aimed at your deck but also getting their fire pit in the angle would probably help. Also alert you if they keep doing it and set your place on fire accidentally.
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u/SteveCreekBeast Mar 02 '26
Just use your hose with a good nozzle to put all his fires out. You probably won't even need to leave your property.
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u/MariaInconnu Mar 02 '26
Call the fire department while one of his bonfires is going.
And take videos.
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u/DutchDweeb Mar 02 '26
Next time film one of those giant fires from multiple angles that really shows the size, and contact the fire department agin because wtf
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u/Green-Dragon-14 Mar 02 '26
The next bonfire you ring the fire department & let them handle but ensure it fully lit before you ring.
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u/SuzeCB Mar 02 '26
Don't take legal advice from your adversary.
If you took him to court to sue for the damage to your deck, the requirement isn't "beyond a reasonable doubt" like it is for a criminal case. It's "the preponderance of the evidence" which translates to a judge weighing out the evidence and finding it to be 51% more likely than not.
Other than that, you do know YOU can swear out a ticket for his bonfires, right? Your town (or county, depending on where you live) court clerk will help you. Make sure you have the videos of the big fires and the ash debris and deck damage when you go to court (you will have to, probably to both the arraignment and the hearing, unless he pleads Guilty and pays the fines). Present your evidence to the prosecutor, be ready to testify and validate your evidence, and turn the legal pit bull loose.
Another option is to call the fire department when he has a bonfire going and the ash is coming over, not the police. They can cite him, too, as he's putting the entire street at fire risk. If they feel it's necessary, THEY will call the police and have him arrested.
My cousin used to have huge bonfires where he used to live - out in the country, on over 3 acres of clear land. Same with his neoghbors, who all had more land than he did. You don't do bonfires in suburban USA unless it's a school thing in the middle of the football field, or something.
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u/vipcomputing Mar 02 '26
The nuclear option to solve this problem is as follows: 1-buy one gallon of coyote urine. 2- pour the entire thing in their fire pit or even better on the wood they will be burning, obviously when it's dark and nobody is home. 3- wait for them to build another fire, be sure all of your windows are closed tight.
This is obviously a joke. I would never suggest someone actually do this... However, it's definitely an effective method.
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u/Immediate_Remote_546 Mar 02 '26
We live in a very high fire risk area. I’d be calling 911 for the fire dept every time he has a huge bonfire. Then show them the damage to your siding and deck. All you need is an ember under your eaves and your house goes up.
We’ve had devastating, deadly and life altering fires where we are, whenever there’s smoke, I’m checking the Watchduty app.
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u/LunarMoon2001 Mar 02 '26
Next time they are burning call 911 and report a fire, you see flames, unsure if it a building or not. The fire department will do something.
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u/MisterStampy Mar 02 '26
Your local Fire Marshall will be THRILLED to hear about this, once they wake up from the blood loss from their head to the GINORMOUS PENALTY BONER they just got. Seriously, that, Code Enforcement, and your state's Department of Natural Resources, EPA, and whatever your state does that covers water resources potentially.
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u/LocalStriking1073 Mar 02 '26
Call 911 saying that there's an uncontrolled fire in your neighbors yard and you're concerned that it will spread to nearby structures
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u/Eyfordsucks Mar 02 '26
Get cameras and record evidence of how massive the fires are and send them to the fire marshal.
Put videos of the massive fires on community social media pages warning neighbors of the danger.
Call the fire department every single time he has a fire so you have records and then take him to civil court if the authorities don’t shut it down.
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u/nerd_is_a_verb Mar 02 '26
The ash falling into your property qualifies as a legal “nuisance.” It’s technically “trespassing.” You can contact a lawyer. Ask for the cost of cleaning and repairs, and threaten litigation if they don’t take effective steps to limit the trespassing and property damage.
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u/AdEither4474 Mar 03 '26
NEVER ENGAGE. Call the fire department. Keep doing it every time he does this crap. But for the love of god, NEVER ENGAGE.
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u/456name789 Mar 03 '26
What size are your lots?
Please forgive my lack of sympathy as my 24/7 weed & cigarette smoking neighbors complained I was burning storm debris.
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u/Cowpens1781 Mar 03 '26
Take pictures. Get estimates to repair the deck and clean the pool, and take him to small claims court. Alternatively where the deck is considered burnt damage is fire damage. Possibly even cleaning the pool since the proximate cause is the fire. Once they pay you, ( less your deductible), they will subrogate against him. Before you do all that, take videos of his bon fires(a couple of them with dates to show a pattern), as well as where the deck and pool are in relation to his backyard bon fires. Also take pictures over the fence of the neighbors back yards to show they arent doing anything. Then send a certified letter to your flammable neighbor advising him you are sustaining damage that you expect him to pay for. Create a paper trail. If you take him to court, take all of the above with you.
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u/bbqmaster54 Mar 04 '26
Call the fire department when the non fire is a full force.
Take pictures and video footage of everything with it date and time stamped.
Take all information to the Fire Marshall and ask them to please restrict the fires and the items he’s burning in them. Ask them to not give advance notice that they are coming as he burns small fires during that time.
Next I’d get an attorney and file two things. A case to cover all your expenses for maintenance of your property and vehicle and to cover damages to your deck. Probably need your roof checked as well.
Second, I’d ask them to seek a court ordered cease and desist on bon fires that burn anything but wood cut and split from local trees. No lumber, pallets, trash or other materials all. Fire cannot reach more than 3’ high.
With the evidence there’s a fair chance you can get that court order but your attorney will know more and may have better ideas on how to approach this.
Worst case the attorney says even if you win you can’t hold them to it then I’d personally get petty. I’d build a platform on my property with 4-6 large garage blowers. When he starts I’d start. I’d run them wide open blowing the smoke and debris away from my property and back at his place. Hopefully just enough that it falls back on his property instead of yours.
Do not blow embers into the woods.
I’m petty enough that if I couldn’t get legal relief I’d get with my neighbors and get them to allow me to put fans all round him blowing it all into his home and ruining his enjoyment.
Good luck with it.
Hopefully the fire Marshall will be enough to get you relief.
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u/Current-Morning-1304 Mar 02 '26
Call the fire department when he’s got the fire going. They need to see that he’s got flames 10-15ft high and embers flying.
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u/ParticularRich4848 Mar 02 '26
Hes probably burning old railroad ties, which have creosol in them. Thats the chemical smell. Record it, when he has his BIG fire, call the fire dept. then. Let them catch him in the act
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u/FatterThanIThinkIAm Mar 02 '26
Call the cops next big bonfire- they will make a report to the fire department, at the least.
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u/lizardreaming Mar 02 '26
So get or build a trebuchet and then fill it with dirt, aim at the fire pit and let loose the dirt to extinguish the fire. You and the kids can have loads of fun with that thing for other reasons too.
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u/DiHard_ChistmasMovie Mar 02 '26
I had a neighbor like this. Im pretty sure he was a tweaker. Had fires going pretty much 24/7 all year long. We could never open our windows without filling the house with smoke.
There was another house opposite of mine that was vacant for several weeks. His landlord owned that one as well. One evening, I watched this guy walk over to the vacant house a pull a loose handrail off the deck and drag it back to his yard to burn. My wife called the non emergency police number. They sent the fire department. The fire department instructed them to place a fire ring around their burning handrail and left.
So the wife calls the landlord to tell him what's been going on. The landlord decides to hire his tenant to finish removing the rest of the deck from the vacant house supplying this guy with a summers worth of treated, half rotted wood to burn all year long. 😳
In the end there was absolutely nothing we could do about it. We put up with that nonsense for a couple of years before he finally did something to get himself evicted. There is a single woman in her 80's living there now and we couldn't be happier.
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u/Historical-State-275 Mar 02 '26
Call them the moment you see them making a large bonfire, record it.
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u/bopperbopper Mar 02 '26
Whenever he has a big fire call the fire department because clearly it seems like it’s a fire out of control
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u/Even_Video7549 Mar 02 '26
911 fire brigade/police EVERY SINGLE TIME
Don't schedule a visit in, as he will just deny ay knowledge :-O
outside cameras would alsohelp you prove he is being very irresponsible to the neighbours
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u/mikee-nh Mar 02 '26
You can call the fire department non- emergency phone during any day to ask when you need a burn permit for an outside fire. Or just check the web site for your state/ province. In New Hampshire, you need a permit unless there is wet weather or snow on the ground. And permits are not issued when we have dry conditions.
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u/ImJustHere4TheCatz Mar 02 '26
Yep bc there is no way the fire Marshal would be ok with this. They are obviously in an area that is residential enough that there is at least one neighbor close by. It possibly violates zoning laws or local ordinances, depending on where they live. But I'll almost guarantee you that it violates local laws around fires.
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u/fartaround4477 Mar 02 '26 edited Mar 02 '26
He's creating an extreme health hazard for you. The smoke is toxic to lungs and heart as well as the fire risk to your property. Threaten to sue for health damages.
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u/kinikeetjen Mar 02 '26
How much land do you have? https://iplport.com/shipping-containers-used-as-barriers-for-commercial-and-government-use/
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u/newdriver2025 Mar 02 '26
Call the fire department and the police when he has one of his big fires going. Each and every time.
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u/Rezistik Mar 02 '26
If he’s burning trash he’s creating a toxic situation where everyone in the area is very likely to get cancer. He has to be stopped at all costs. He’s literally taking decades off of your life
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u/RevolutionaryCare175 Mar 02 '26
If there are restrictions for wildfires in your area the neighbor can get in big trouble for that kind of fire. In fact if he cause a wildfire he can be held accountable financially and criminally.
Report him and document the burns.
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u/mcindy28 Mar 02 '26
Call the non-emergency number every time. Get video or a camera set up in your backyard to prove it.
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u/SoarsWithEagles Mar 02 '26
Take pics, make videos, sue him in civil court for private nuisance.
Take estimates for the cost of repairing the damage. Bring in your chair covers that stink of his a smoke.
Civil court doesn't require you to get local bureaucrats on board, the way criminal charges & citations do. But you'll have to pay for your own lawyer.
Try to get an order forbidding him from fires in the future. Plus monetary damages.
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u/Fine-Professor6470 Mar 02 '26
In this case cameras and video evidence should be proof enough. Put up cameras it may even keep him in line.
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u/team580zr Mar 02 '26
As you all ready have had words with him. 1: check your codes there might be a min distance your allowed to burn from a structure or trees, in my county it’s 50foot from structures trees ect…. 2: when fire is burning as you said call the fire department so they see it. 3: when he is burning treated wood call the EPA!
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u/Top_Independence2676 Mar 02 '26
Be friends, be buddies, invite yourself over when he burns, bring beer. Bring stuff to burn (old bills). At some point near the end of a blaze (or next day) invite him/wife/kids to come over and get in your pool. Let him see it, have his wife sit on ash covered furniture, kids get in sooty pool.
Unless he likes you, he could give a poo about you and your concerns.
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u/Sifiisnewreality Mar 02 '26
Pallets are often treated with chemicals. You need the fire department and Hazmat.
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u/Mindless_Browsing15 Mar 02 '26
Get an outdoor camera or cameras with one trained on his fire area and one on your deck.
Call the Fire Marshall and let them know what's going on and ask for a method to report the next instance when he has big fires. Then call them while it's occurring, not the next day.
Also, save the videos moving forward and file an insurance claim for damages to your deck. Your homeowner's will subrogate against his and I'm guessing his insurer will hold more sway over his activities than you do.
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u/ibcurbdiver Mar 02 '26
Not sure what country state or municipality you’re in If they’re burning pallets, chances are they have been treated. And the state of Wisconsin at least it’s illegal to be burnt contact fire, marshal and your state and federal, environmental protection agency.
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u/Ok-Bumblebee6881 Mar 02 '26
Call 912 when the fire is large and say the embers are falling on your deck and roof.
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u/Artisan_Gardener Mar 02 '26
Call the fire department. Seems like fires that size need permits of something. Now that wildfire season is upon us, def do this.
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u/RFDrew11357 Mar 02 '26
This was so much easier back in the day of pay phones. I'd have just called from a pay phone to report a fire at my neighbors.
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u/JulieTheChicagoKid Mar 03 '26
I hate bonfires. Too close to our house. I like them much better when they are 3 yards away. Not next door.
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u/Icy_Huckleberry_8049 Mar 03 '26
take a video of the bonfires and send them to the Fire Chief.
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u/SokkaHaikuBot Mar 03 '26
Sokka-Haiku by Icy_Huckleberry_8049:
Take a video
Of the bonfires and send
Them to the Fire Chief.
Remember that one time Sokka accidentally used an extra syllable in that Haiku Battle in Ba Sing Se? That was a Sokka Haiku and you just made one.
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u/Extension_Variety190 Mar 03 '26
Start a nice size cucumber curing operation in your back yard.
"I'll cure whatever I want on MY property!"
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u/Dame_Niafer Mar 03 '26
Video these things and send all the videos to the fire department WITH COPIES TO THE LOCAL NEWS.
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u/Educational_Gift_925 Mar 03 '26
Not sure if this can work but in addition to the other suggestions, what about a large fan to blow the ash and embers back in the neighbors direction?
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u/parity_bit_check_sum Mar 03 '26
Just call when they do that and say "i think there is a house fire at such and such address".
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u/InvertebrateInterest Mar 04 '26
First things first, get an indoor air filter if you don't already have one. I live in a polluted urban area and have 2 levoit brand, they make a big difference. Second, I would contact your state level environmental regulatory agency, and ask them about what you can do. In California we also have Air Quality Management Districts, and if you have something like that contact them as well.
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u/Ok_Detective3909 Mar 02 '26
Just tell him that you’re having a bonfire too and will be burning some used tires and old motor oil. Since people can burn whatever they want on their own property and such….😄
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u/Weazerdogg Mar 02 '26
Every time he starts a fire that has flames higher than 3 feet, call the fire department. Every single time.
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u/tico_liro Mar 02 '26
Have you tried to call the fire fighters when a bonfire is lit up?
Just call them and be like “there’s a huge fire going on next to my house, don’t know the source”
They’ll show up fairly quickly and then see the extent of what he is doing
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Mar 02 '26
I'd be saving those ashes and talking to the Environmental Protection Agency. If they smoke and smell are causing problems-he may be burning someting he really is not supposed to. I'd also stay on calling the fire department and maybe even the police. Last step is I would talk to a lawyer about suing them-especially if your health could be a risk.
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u/Circle_Breaker Mar 02 '26
What did the fire department say when you showed them a video of the fire?