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Post by mom on Jan 17, 2024 19:06:29 GMT
The neighbor that I share a back alley with is constantly burning things in his backyard. Atleast once a week - and I have no clue what he is burning but today it caused a big boom. Our city has a no burning law so he is obviously going against that.
Today though? The wind is blowing 25 mph and all the smoke is blowing my direction (not to mention the chance of him burning our neighborhood down).
I have never met this man and the one time DH spoke to him, DH thought he was a grumpy old man.
What would you do? Up til now, I've always ignored it - I could see the smoke but that was all. But now that the smoke is blowing this way and he is burning things when we wind is higher, I feel like something/someone needs to intervene. His back fence is less than 6 feet from my back fence as our alley is narrow and not wide enough for vehicles.
Would you try and talk to him? Call LE and let them deal with him? Just ignore him? I don't want to be 'that' neighbor, but I also don't want my house to catch on fire either.
Edited to add: he has made a huge pile that he burns. So it's not like it's in a fire pit or fireplace. It's like a bon fire.
Edit #2 - I went ahead and called the non emergency number (since no structures were burning and no one was injured) and then they had me call 911. Apparently all fires go to 911. Anyway, I called and they are sending out a firetruck + police.
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Post by gar on Jan 17, 2024 19:10:26 GMT
Always start with talking imo, then go from there if nothing changes.
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Post by Zee on Jan 17, 2024 19:11:23 GMT
It caused a big boom? Call. I'm not sure if it would be police or fire dept so I'd call the non emergency number and ask, unless there's another boom in which case I would call the fire dept. Pronto.
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Post by workingclassdog on Jan 17, 2024 19:18:51 GMT
I would just call the non emergency number. He doesn't care and I think talking to him is going to be useless. This way you will remain anonymous.
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Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
Posts: 4,661 
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Post by Rhondito on Jan 17, 2024 19:21:37 GMT
I think I'd call the non-emergency line and ask about it. If there's a city ordinance against burning fires then let the fire department or PD take care of it.
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Post by supersoda on Jan 17, 2024 19:26:28 GMT
Particularly given how dry and windy it is there, I would call the fire department if your DH can't get anywhere with him. It is more than an annoyance with the smoke--it's a wildfire risk.
He's sure not being neighborly by risking all the properties around him, so I wouldn't worry too much about being that neighbor.
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Post by snugglebutter on Jan 17, 2024 19:27:12 GMT
Call the non-emergency line and have them handle it.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jan 17, 2024 19:27:50 GMT
25 mph winds and he's got a bonfire going? That's a major fire just waiting to happen. Lord knows what toxic substances he's burning, especially if you heard a boom. I would have called the Fire and/or Police departments already.
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Post by Tearisci on Jan 17, 2024 19:36:48 GMT
Yep, I agree with pretty much everyone and suggest calling the non-emergency line. Talking to him probably won't get you very far if he's grumpy.
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pantsonfire
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Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
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Post by pantsonfire on Jan 17, 2024 19:38:34 GMT
In my city, fire advises that we call 911 and they will arrive with water truck to put it out and fine the home owner.
Several fires and property damage has occurred due to illegal fires.
Also it might not be a good look to insurance if something were to happen and you knew he was doing this.
I woukd have called the first time. Not only is there is a risk of the fire spreading but like you said who knows what he burns and that can be a lung health/air quality issue.
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Post by mom on Jan 17, 2024 19:47:38 GMT
Ok, I called it in the non-emergent number, but then they had me call 911. Apparently all fires have to go thru them. The dispatcher said they would be sending a fire truck + police units to their home to find out whats going on. The dispatcher never asked my name, but I suppose she could probably see my number from where I was calling from. While I don't care that they know who I am, I would rather not have a pissed off neighbor.
Thank you for all the reassurance. I really was tiptoeing the line of is it really bothering anyone or not. But like you all mentioned, the fire could get out of hand quickly (and almost all of us have wood shingles on our roofs).
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Post by Tearisci on Jan 17, 2024 19:50:55 GMT
Good call!
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Post by workingclassdog on Jan 17, 2024 19:53:10 GMT
I think it is a good call. Usually people know they are not supposed to do that, especially around houses and he probably just doesn't care. Let us know if you hear anything!!
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teddyw
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,822
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Post by teddyw on Jan 17, 2024 19:53:36 GMT
It was a good idea to call. That’s a disaster waiting to happen.
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Post by femalebusiness on Jan 17, 2024 19:57:05 GMT
Had he been sitting around a fire pit with friends having a beer I wouldn't say anything, even if the smoke bothered me…as long as it was infrequent. What you describe is much different and I would anonymously reported him. I wouldn't talk to him directly because I wouldn't want to start a war with the guy just over the fence. He won’t know where the complaint came from.
ETA: Yes, give us an update when you have time.
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Jan 17, 2024 20:03:19 GMT
I would have called and reported it as well.
When it's windy,....one random ember from the fire could easily blow into a neighbors yard or on a roof, and set off other fires.
Do you have any updates? Did the fire trucks and Police arrive at the neighbors yet?
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jan 17, 2024 20:06:24 GMT
I probably would have called too in a situation like that. We had our (disgruntled) former neighbors at our old house call the fire dept on us once when we had something cooking on our grill in the back yard. The fire dept showed up and knocked on the door and was talking to me in the front, while others went around back and raised the lid on the grill and said to DH as he came out the back door, “Um, there’s not enough on here for all of us!” LOL.
I think in that case our neighbors got fined for making a false report after DH explained to the fire dept that they were retaliating because we called the city on them for having piles of garbage heaped up in their yard outside which was literally attracting mice and rats.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jan 17, 2024 20:18:40 GMT
Ok, I called it in the non-emergent number, but then they had me call 911. Apparently all fires have to go thru them. The dispatcher said they would be sending a fire truck + police units to their home to find out whats going on. The dispatcher never asked my name, but I suppose she could probably see my number from where I was calling from. While I don't care that they know who I am, I would rather not have a pissed off neighbor. Thank you for all the reassurance. I really was tiptoeing the line of is it really bothering anyone or not. But like you all mentioned, the fire could get out of hand quickly ( and almost all of us have wood shingles on our roofs).  You definitely did the right thing by calling. That really was a fire just waiting to happen. If you find out any more information, please let us know! |
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Post by silverlining on Jan 17, 2024 20:25:49 GMT
I am relieved to hear that you called and police and fire department are on the way. You did the right thing!
I live in an area that has had serious fires that spread on windy days and we have friends who have experienced tragic consequences from those fires. It's good your neighbor knows that someone near him is paying attention and will call if he violates the burning restrictions again. If he asks if you called, you can answer truthfully that you were worried that he could lose his fence or his home or worse.
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Post by freecharlie on Jan 17, 2024 20:25:51 GMT
Glad you called. The destruction of a quick moving fire from the wind can be catastrophic.
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Post by Bridget in MD on Jan 17, 2024 20:52:30 GMT
I would have called and reported it as well. When it's windy,....one random ember from the fire could easily blow into a neighbors yard or on a roof, and set off other fires.
Do you have any updates? Did the fire trucks and Police arrive at the neighbors yet?I am glad you called and I also want to make sure the fire trucks came!!!!!!!!! |
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Post by mom on Jan 17, 2024 21:15:09 GMT
I would have called and reported it as well. When it's windy,....one random ember from the fire could easily blow into a neighbors yard or on a roof, and set off other fires. Do you have any updates? Did the fire trucks and Police arrive at the neighbors yet?Ok, I am not at home any longer but my neighbor to the left of me called and said the fire dept had been there and they just left. Her husband is retired fire so he went to talk to the firemen and they said he was mainly burning limbs and 'natural stuff' but he had also threw in some junk from his garage that had an aerosol can of paint in it ( WTF!!!). The fireman said the home owner will be getting a ticket and most likely a visit from the environmental dept of the city. The neighbor said they had a big tanker truck as well as an engine but the engine left pretty quickly. |
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TXMary
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Post by TXMary on Jan 17, 2024 21:30:28 GMT
Good grief...some people are just stupid. I don't think we live in the same part of Texas but burning on a day with 25-mph winds is just dangerous anywhere! I think they did finally lift our burn ban but we're still in a severe drought. I thought it was illegal to burn trash in your backyard in Texas unless you don't have trash pick up and I'm assuming that isn't the case in your area. Glad you called and hopefully he will not be doing that again!
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,500
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Post by ellen on Jan 17, 2024 21:34:24 GMT
I read your post to my husband who is a retired firefighter and he said he wouldn’t have hesitated to make that call. You did the neighborhood a favor.
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Post by Lexica on Jan 17, 2024 21:39:01 GMT
I am so glad you called. Not only is this man’s habit of burning in the open causing a possible fire hazard, he could be filling the air with toxic smoke! That would scare me more than anything. He was just burning stuff from his garage? Uh, no. And today’s fire might have been mostly branches, but he certainly doesn’t have branches every week. He is undoubtedly burning his trash instead of putting it into a container and that could cause major health issues for your family and surrounding homes. I would be reporting him every single time, especially if he starts back up after being fined.
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iowgirl
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Post by iowgirl on Jan 17, 2024 22:24:37 GMT
but he had also threw in some junk from his garage that had an aerosol can of paint in it ( WTF!!!). When you mentioned BOOM - I knew it was an aerosol can. I don't know what it is with men and things that go BOOM, but they love it. I used to exclusively burn my trash, and always sorted out the aerosol cans, so I wouldn't get a boom. One day I found my husband and young son tossing them in the fire to get them to explode (they were safely within something so it wouldn't hit them). I was like WTF are you doing!! And they just laughed! They also loved Tannerite and making other things go boom. At least they were safe with it. You were right to call it in. He was using no sense at all with the burning. I so seldom burn now. I usually have some yard waste in the spring and wait for favorable rains and wind direction. Once the crops turn in the fields around me, I will not burn anything. Stalks now, and we have grazed them and the cattle are off them, but it still terrifies me to burn! |
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caangel
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Post by caangel on Jan 18, 2024 6:25:04 GMT
Now keep calling everytime it happens. He obviously doesn't care so let the authorities make him care.
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Post by mollycoddle on Jan 18, 2024 12:15:19 GMT
You did the right thing. I had a similar situation, but it was in the summer, and had been very dry. I came home from a nice outing with friends to find the jackass 2 doors over burning a fire to get rid of some brush and tree limbs. Our properties back up against a field. Did I mention that it had been very dry? And that burning things in your back yard is illegal here? I went over, controlled my temper, and asked if he didn’t think that it was risky, given the dry weather. I’ll never forget his reply. “I’m not worried; I got a hose.” Sure, all the way back at your house! Our properties have long back yards. And every week after that, until the jackass moved, I would find a bag of dog poop in the bottom of my trash can after it had been emptied. So don’t needlessly piss off someone dumb enough to burn stuff, even when it is illegal. Call anonymously! IOW, you did the right thing.  |
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Post by peano on Jan 18, 2024 15:00:06 GMT
I would not hesitate to call. He's an idiot that could potentially harm other people or their property.
Our town does have a burning ordinance but we once had a neighbor (who lived three doors down in another town) who used to burn the most toxic smelling shit, and the odor would permeate the area. Nothing I could do about him.
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maryannscraps
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Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Jan 18, 2024 15:10:01 GMT
Sounds so dangerous — glad you called. We do have burning permits in my town — you have to get the permit and call the FD the day you’re burning. Lots of safety rules involved and they won’t allow burning when it’s at all windy. We used to get rid of yard waste that way, but haven’t had a burn pile in years now.
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You definitely did the right thing by calling. That really was a fire just waiting to happen. If you find out any more information, please let us know! 
