Smoke control and bonfires
The council is responsible for controlling smoke and bonfires in Islington to improve air quality.
The whole of Islington is a Smoke Control Zone and it is an offence to burn unauthorised fuel or use an appliance that is not exempt under the Clean Air Act
Report an issue with smoke from a fire or bonfire
Fires in your home
Burning solid fuel, in an open fire or stove, creates pollution in your home and surrounding area that could impact the health of you and those around you. Fires and stoves are also not the most cost-efficient way to heat your home (for advice visit our energy saving website).
However if you do burn you must comply with restriction put in place through the Clean Air Act:
• burn smokeless fuel (this can be widely purchased and is labelled as ‘smokeless’)
• use specific types of wood burning stoves or furnaces
The Defra website has a list of the authorised fuels and appliances that you must use in a Smoke Control Area like Islington. However, even an approved fuel and/or exempt appliance can still have an impact on air quality.
Bonfires
Garden bonfires add to pollution and poor air quality and can make health problems (e.g. asthma and bronchitis) worse. They can also be a nuisance to neighbours.
Instead, dispose of your garden and kitchen waste in a responsible way by composting or using our garden waste collection service.
To report issues with bonfires during office hours you can also call our residential environmental health team on 020 7527 3083.
Related information
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Authorised fuels (Defra website)
Information on fuels that can be used in a Smoke Control Zone
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Barbecues
Having a barbecue in Islington parks
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Energy saving advice
Visit our energy saving advice website to find out how you can save money on your bills
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Exempt appliances (Defra website)
Information on appliances that can still be used in a Smoke Control Zone