Wildlife Welfare

Wild Hedgehog Bonfire Hazard Prevention

Bonfire Night and garden bonfires pose acute welfare risks to hedgehogs that shelter in bonfire piles before ignition, causing burning and death that is entirely preventable.

Key Facts

Hedgehogs seeking winter shelter frequently enter bonfire piles built days before lighting
An estimated tens of thousands of hedgehogs die in UK garden bonfires annually
Simply moving a bonfire pile immediately before lighting is sufficient prevention
Hedgehogs entered piles cannot self-rescue when fire begins
Building bonfires on the day of burning prevents hedgehog shelter establishment

Welfare Considerations

Death by burning in a bonfire is an extreme and entirely preventable welfare harm. Simple precautions including checking piles before lighting or building bonfires on the day of use eliminate this cause of suffering with minimal inconvenience.

What You Can Do

Check bonfire piles from the base using a torch before lighting
Build bonfires on the day of burning rather than days in advance
Move piles to a fresh location immediately before lighting to disturb any sheltering animals