Donegal County Council has issued a warning over bonfires ahead of the Halloween festivities.
They are asking the community to remember that bonfires can cause serious damage and injuries both to our environment and to our health.
In a statement, the Council says that there has been a significant reduction in the number of bonfires over recent years.
They say that this is down to the public recognising the importance of responsible waste management and avail of the wide range of waste and recycling services available.
In the lead up to Halloween Night Donegal County Council is asking householders, businesses and communities not to provide materials for bonfires.
While traditionally wood and straw were used on bonfires in recent times materials such as tyres, mattresses, couches, furniture, plastics, aerosols, foam, metal, painted timber, treated timber, household waste are burned on bonfires. This type of activity is illegal.
It is also an offence to supply waste materials to parties collecting for bonfires.
The uncontrolled burning of these waste types is very damaging to our health and environment as harmful dioxins are created and released into the air that we breathe.
Bonfires can also very often be built close to houses and other property and can cause serious damage and injuries particularly where the burning of highly combustible materials is taking place.
To protect human health and the environment, Donegal County Council is asking all businesses and commercial outlets who deal in, or have dealt with, the sale, supply, delivery, collection or treatment of tyres or waste tyres, for example; tyre retailers, suppliers, car dealerships, plant hire, scrap yards and waste collectors/facilities etc; to ensure that all tyres and waste tyres are safely secured and managed accordingly so as they do not potentially or inadvertently form part of any bonfire(s).
