Community Corner
As Fire Pit Season Heats Up, Here Are Some Dos and Don’ts: Block Talk
Patch readers were split on the etiquette of fire pits and outdoor fireplaces, vehemently so.
Tom hangs his head when he looks back on the disregard he once had for his neighbors. The Concord (New Hampshire) Patch reader said he enjoyed burning “huge” backyard fires, but never gave a thought to whether he was creating a nuisance, health hazard or fire risk for his neighbors.
“I likely did not care,” admitted Tom, who was among readers who responded to our informal survey on the dos and don’ts of fire pits for Block Talk, Patch’s exclusive neighborhood etiquette column.
“Today, I feel shame for my behavior, and karma has put me in a place where our neighbor has fires all night without concern for the impact it has on us,” he said, adding, "Irony.”
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Smoke from the neighbor’s fire pit blows into Tom’s bedroom window.
“If we leave the window open, our room stinks; if we close the window, our room is warm and stale,” he said. “Either way, it’s uncomfortable.”
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‘Debilitating Asthma Attacks’
Several other readers said neighborhood fire pits can be a nuisance, especially for people who have asthma or other health conditions that are aggravated by smoke.
“I know they can be fun and cozy for some, but it gives me debilitating asthma attacks that last days, even if I stay inside with windows closed,” Ridgewood-Glen Rock (New Jersey) Patch reader Jen said. “When fire pits make a lot of thick, smelly, smoke that travels through the air, it can make people like me really, really sick.”
Jen said that burning materials that don’t put thick smoke in the air is the considerate thing to do for neighbors with breathing issues.
“My neighbor was burning leaves and other yard debris one Thanksgiving morning, and I was completely incapacitated for the holiday,” Jen said. “It took me days to recover. The thick smoke and strong smell traveled to a nearby street where runners were doing a Turkey Trot. I’d imagine some of the runners experienced issues, too.”
‘Idiot Didn’t Call The Fire Department’
Ted, a Melrose (Massachusetts) Patch reader, said when smoke from his neighbors’ fires drift his way, he’s had asthma attacks just taking the dog outside for his nightly toilet.
One neighbor’s fire spread to the woods behind Ted’s and three other houses, almost setting them on fire. “The idiot didn’t call the fire department! Another neighbor saw the billowing smoke and called,” Ted said.
“Another neighbor builds huge fires that include pressure treated lumber, and then he goes inside his house, leaving the fire unattended,” he went on. “Yet another neighbor places the large fire pit under mature trees at the edge of dry woods. Then he, his wife, and buddies get drunk and throw beer bottles into the flames. Sparks and embers fly into the trees and onto leaves in the woods. Frightening.”
On top of that, “they lie to the fire department saying that they are cooking hot dogs,” Ted said.
West Chester (Pennsylvania) Patch reader Shannon had a friend who liked backyard fires, even though they were illegal in his neighborhood, and fashioned a makeshift fire pit of bricks and an old metal bed frame.
“One day he decided to have a fire during a day when there were high winds and there was an advisory not to put cigarettes out on the ground, etc.,” Shannon recalled. “He ended up having an enormous out-of-control fire that burned down all the outbuildings on his property. He eventually had to call the fire department, and they managed to save the house. He sustained minor injuries trying to extinguish the fire himself with a garden hose.”
‘Held Hostage By Your Smoke’
Narragansett-South Kingstown (Rhode Island) Patch reader Jan said their neighbors must recognize the problem their fire pits create for those living nearby.
“They have all placed them as far away from their houses as possible to avoid smoke infiltration,” Jan said. “As such, they are all closer to our house. We have had our smoke alarm go off because our house was filled with their smoke. They also burn on air quality alert days, which leaves a pall of smoke over the neighborhood.”
Jan added, “I experienced lung scarring from radiation treatments and the smoke sets off coughing spells.”
Murrieta (California) Patch reader Mac and his family primarily use a house fan to cool and ventilate their home, explaining the fans “strongly pull in outside air, creating a delightful breeze from any open window.”
They can’t use the fans when neighbors are burning in their fire pits, though. Some neighbors are worse offenders than others, and Mac wants them to know this:
“It holds affected families hostage to your smoke for the whole evening until your fire is completely extinguished.”
When those neighbors light their fire pits, “Our entire house smells like the downwind side of a campfire in seconds,” Mac said. “It’s horrible, and we hate fire pits as a result. We prefer the cool night air flowing through the house. When people use fire pits, we have to quickly close all the windows and use the AC. Also, we are stuck with a house full of smoke smell until they stop their fire completely, and we can clear out our house by opening the windows.”
‘This Is America’
“It’s America!” said MERICA, who reads Columbia (Maryland) Patch. “Enjoy your fire pit! But invite me next time!”
“This is America, so they can use it as they please, so long as it’s on their property,” said Plainfield (Illinois) Patch reader Jack, who thinks a small recreational fire is a great way to bring neighbors together.”
Stix, who is 67, always loved the smell of burning leaves in the fall as a kid.
“Now I enjoy it when I smell the smoke from a fire from my neighbor’s chimney,” said Stix, who reads Radnor (Pennsylvania) Patch. “Outdoor fire pits are fine with me. I think this is just another manufactured issue to encourage more government regulation and limit our freedom.”
Several readers were less nationalistic, but said that if their neighbors are careful not to use the fire pits in unsafe conditions, such as during high winds and droughts, they’re not going to stand in the way.
“Love that they enjoy the time outside together,” said Stan, who reads Nanuet (New York) Patch, West Chester (Pennsylvania) Patch and West Orange (New Jersey) Patch.
Greenfield (Wisconsin) Patch reader AJ also likes that people are gathering outside and enjoying one another’s company.
“I have no problem with outdoor fire pits or fireplaces as long as they are not burning things other than wood and sticks from the yard,” AJ said, adding, “Keep a hose nearby and be smart — don't burn in high winds or drought.”
“Personally, I love it! Grab a beer, light up a Backwoods and sit outside and enjoy the smell,” said Pleasant Valley (New York) Patch reader Ned, who also enjoys the aroma when his neighbors cook steak or burgers on the grill.
‘Build A Hot House Around Your Fire’
“Enjoy! Have a great time! Burn whatever you want. It’s your property. If neighbors don’t like it, then they can close their windows,” said Montgomeryville-Lansdale (Pennsylvania) Patch reader John.
John offered one caveat: “Don’t burn patio cushions. They will get a 55-gallon drum bright orange and about to melt.”
A New Berlin (Wisconsin) Patch reader has a caveat, too.
“Please leave your smoke in your enclosed back yard. Build a hot house around your fires,” the reader said. “I take care of my lungs. Your smoke can kill me and will cost lots of money if I breathe it. If you do not care about your lungs or the lungs of your children and pets, I will not worry about them, either. Smoke, from fire pits, burning leaves and smoking, kills. It is a danger to the environment and homes and wildlife. Please, just stop.”
Be A Good Neighbor
Laura J., who reads Vernon Patch and South Windsor Patch in Connecticut, as well as Across America Patch, offered several suggestions to keep peace in the neighborhood and still enjoy a fire pit.
“Always have a water source! Keep it small!” she said. “And think of your neighbors. There are many options for fire pit fuel; it doesn’t always have to be wood.”
“Memories are made around a fire pit. Life is short, take time to enjoy life and share special moments,” said North Fork (New York) Patch reader Kristin. “Just be safe and don’t build a fire that’s too big and unsafe for the fire pit.”
Woodbury (Minnesota) Patch reader Junie said she has never sat around a fire pit when the smoke didn’t blow in her face the entire time, no matter where she positioned herself to avoid it. Clothing smells of fire quickly, too, she said.
“I am, however, married to a fire pit connoisseur and our kids love it. Will I occasionally sit outside and take one for the team to spend time with my family? Yes,” Junie said. “I will also sometimes just stay inside with the windows closed.”
In general, Junie doesn’t mind the smell if it’s far enough in the distance. She also doesn’t mind closing her windows if her neighbor’s fire starts to bother her.
“Most of our neighbors are very responsible when they have fires, so it’s not something I actively worry about,” she said. “As long as they aren’t burning leaves, I say go for it.”
‘The Golden Rule May Apply’
“Think about being your own neighbor,” said Phil, who reads Upper Dublin Patch and Warrington Patch in Pennsylvania and Bay Shore (New York) Patch. “The Golden Rule may apply here, just to keep things peaceful. Maybe the next day ask your neighbor how it affected them or was it OK.”
“When bringing my kids up, I always kept a bucket of water near the fire,” Phil said. “If you place it there at the beginning of the fire, it’s easy to teach your kids to stir the coals and pour water on it at the end. Why? Because the buckets right there! Just try to get in some good training while they’re young.”
Nashua (New Hampshire) Patch reader Mom speaks from experience about the danger of recreational fires.
“I know your teens are good kids. I agree. But supervise them when you have fires,” she said. “They asked us to hose it down twice while we were watering our garden because it got too big and out of their control. A bit scary.
“When I was a teenager, my parents had our fire pit going. I was stupid and started making little fires and such. I look over, and my whole yard was on fire! We all panicked. We couldn’t put it out,” Mom said, adding the fire department extinguished the fire before it caused too much damage, and “we were very grateful,” Mom said.
“Have fun,” said Pleasanton (California) Patch G. “I will simply close my windows and doors so you can enjoy your night.
“Anyone who is such a Karen to complain about fire pits while half the state of California is on fire every summer has some major issues,” G continued. “Start holding those who start fires that burn 1,000+ square miles of land accountable before you go after neighbors for lighting up a fire pit.”
About Block Talk
Block Talk is a regular Patch feature offering real-world advice from readers on how to resolve everyday neighborhood problems. If you have a neighborhood etiquette question or problem you'd like for us to consider, email beth.dalbey@patch.com, with Block Talk as the subject line.
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