As the nights draw in sooner, the temperature gets cooler, and Halloween and Christmas are only over the horizon, you must be tempted to create the perfect bonfire in your back garden. Bonfires are a excellent reason for a social gathering, wrapped up in blankets with hot chocolate and marshmallows, and in this article, you will find all the advice you will need on how to make the most potential out of your bonfire whilst staying safe and secure too.
Preparing To Make Your Bonfire
Before you begin collecting your wood and kindling, you will first need to check if a permit is required to make your bonfire, and whether it is legal to host bonfires in your region. These regulations can be found on your local council or government website. If you are hosting a bonfire in your garden, ensure you keep it contained in a metallic structure, like a metallic bin or fire bowl, and away from grass. You should also check with your property owner if a bonfire is allowed and check that it won’t intrude on your neighbours.
Rules of fires in your garden
Once you have taken the necessary precautions, you can start assembling your bonfire, from which you will need the following:
- An assortment of wood. For best results, use hardwood, as this is usually cured or dried. You do not have to use green and uncured wood as this will emit more smoke and less heat, whereas hardwood won’t.
- Large sticks (kindling)
- Stones or bricks
- Tinder (small sticks, bark or newspaper) will be easier to light but will burn quicker.
- Heat and oxygen: fire mainly needs the natural elements to stay alight. Ensure that fuel is nowhere near the vicinity and that it is not an overly hot day, as this can exaggerate the flame even more.
Equipment You Will Need For Your Bonfire
Because you are dealing with fire, it is crucial that you treat it respectfully and carefully. After all, fire can quickly grow out of control if there is an overabundance of wood nearby or exposure to fuel. Here’s what you need to do to get the perfect experience:
- Use the correct equipment. These include:
- Fire-resistant gloves – when handling equipment, these will prevent you from getting burnt.
- Poker – which will prevent you from going too close to the bonfire.
- Rake – needed more when the fire has gone out so you can eradicate embers from starting another fire.
- Sand or water – will help extinguish the fire in an emergency, such as if the wind increases or if flammable objects are blown into the fire.
- Fire extinguisher – a helpful alternative if sand or water is not close at hand. Follow the instructions labelled on the extinguisher when putting out a fire.
- Weather precautions:
- On the days building up to your bonfire event, keep track of any changes in the weather by following news reports on the radio, TV or online. Whilst the rain would make it challenging to keep your fire going, a harsh wind can be your worst enemy on a bonfire night, as it can aim the flame in any direction and make it susceptible to hazardous material. Instead, focus the fire upwind, which will prevent smoke being blown towards people.
- An open space:
- As well as being kept 50 feet away from buildings or cars, bonfires should also be kept at least a 10-foot range away from fences, trees, hedges, sheds or other furniture. Additionally, it may be adequate to light a campfire inside a fire bowl instead, or dig a hole in the ground first and surround the wood with stones you have collected, which will help contain the fire.
Uncertain about bonfire rules in your area? Check the Government website here
Time For The Real Thing!
Now that you have taken all the necessary precautions and familiarised yourself with your equipment and bonfire essentials, you can begin crafting it. Of course, any bonfire can be perfect so long as you stay safe and secure, but most importantly, remember to have a good time and enjoy yourself. But if you want to be as atmospheric as possible, host your bonfire at night, and then as everyone gets cosy and lost in the illuminations of the fire, you can set the scene by telling everyone ghosts stories before they burn their marshmallows…
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