What wood should you burn in a fire pit on Bonfire Night?

Burn dry firewood, ideally hardwood logs with softwood kindling to get it going, and nothing else. Never burn painted or treated timber, old pallets, fence panels or rubbish, and never use petrol or paraffin to light it. Keep water nearby and do not leave the fire unattended.

Can you have a fire pit in a smoke control area?

Yes. Smoke control rules are about smoke from chimneys, and GOV.UK confirms you can use outdoor barbecues, chimineas, fireplaces or pizza ovens in smoke control areas. Garden bonfires are allowed too.

That matters across our area, because the whole of Wirral and parts of Liverpool and Sefton are smoke control areas. Our smoke control guide explains which.

The usual bonfire rules still apply, though. GOV.UK says your council can act on smoke that becomes a statutory nuisance, and you could be fined if you let smoke drift across a road and become a danger to traffic.

The best wood for a fire pit

Dry wood, always

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service's advice is to only burn dry material, because anything wet or damp causes more smoke. Defra's guidance on firewood says wood should be at 20% moisture or less to burn well, and that wet wood creates a lot of smoke and less heat.

That is the main reason not to throw garden prunings on. Defra points out that most garden waste will not be dry and can give off a lot of smoke.

Hardwood for heat, softwood to start

Defra describes hardwoods such as oak, ash and birch as generally better as firewood, because they are denser and burn for longer. Softwoods such as spruce light more easily and make good kindling, but burn faster and give less heat.

For an evening round a fire pit, that means kindling to get it going and dry logs to keep it going.

How much do you need?

For an evening or two, a small bag of kiln-dried logs is the easiest place to start, with a bag of kindling and a few firelighters to start it. If you use the fire pit regularly, a larger bag works out cheaper. See what size of firewood you need.

What not to burn

• Treated or painted wood. Defra warns that treated waste wood, such as old furniture, pallets or fence panels, and household rubbish can give off harmful fumes and toxic pollutants when burned.
• Aerosols, tyres, canisters, foam or paint. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service lists all of these as things not to burn.
• Fireworks. Never throw fireworks into a fire.
• Wet wood and green garden waste. More smoke, less heat.

Fire pit safety on Bonfire Night

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service publishes bonfire safety advice. It is written for bonfires, but most of it applies just as well to a fire pit or chiminea:

1. Pick the spot carefully. Keep the fire well away from buildings, sheds, fences and trees, and check there are no cables overhead.
2. Tell the neighbours. Warn them beforehand so they are aware and can prepare.
3. No accelerants. Do not use petrol or paraffin to start the fire, because it can get out of control quickly. Use firelighters and kindling instead.
4. Keep water handy. A bucket of water or a garden hose nearby, in case of emergencies.
5. Never leave it unattended. Keep children and pets away from the fire.
6. Put it out properly. Once it has died down, pour water on the embers so it cannot reignite.

Common mistakes

• Using a pallet as fuel. Pallets are on Defra's list of treated waste wood not to burn.
• Lighting with petrol. The fire service is clear that it can get out of control quickly.
• Logs left out in the weather. Defra recommends storing firewood under cover and off the ground so it stays dry.
• Leaving it to burn out overnight. Put it out with water before you go in.

Questions people ask

What is the best wood to burn in a chiminea?

The same as a fire pit: dry firewood, with kindling to start it. Check the chiminea manufacturer's instructions too, as some are designed for specific fuels.

Can I burn pallets in a fire pit?

No. Defra lists pallets alongside old furniture and fence panels as treated waste wood that can give off harmful fumes and toxic pollutants when burned.

Is it legal to have a fire pit in Liverpool?

Yes. Even in a smoke control area, GOV.UK says outdoor chimineas and fireplaces are allowed. You must still avoid causing a smoke nuisance or letting smoke drift across a road.

Order in time for 5 November

We deliver kiln-dried logs, kindling and firelighters free across Merseyside, West Lancashire and the Wirral. Check your postcode below to see if we cover you.