Homeowner outraged by neighbor's hazardous practice: 'I'm genuinely concerned'

A concerned homeowner took to Reddit to figure out what to do about the smoke and ash blowing into their yard from their neighbors' property.

"I have neighbors who regularly burn yard waste and I think also their recycling," they told the r/neighborsfromhell community. "My yard gets inundated with smoke and ash, and I'm genuinely concerned about vegetation or my fence catching on fire."

The original poster stated their concern that if they raised the issue with their neighbors, they would not take it seriously, as the homeowner is new to the area.

Redditors gave frank advice for exactly how to handle the safety hazard.

"I'd call the fire department and report it," one wrote.

Safety issues arise from hazardous smoke inundating one's surroundings. Meanwhile, there are troublesome environmental implications that can come from burning one's waste. 

Burning yard debris or trash releases particulate matter into the air, tiny particles small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs. For people with asthma, allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or other respiratory conditions, exposure can trigger flare-ups, breathing difficulty, or long-term health effects. 

Even for healthy individuals, prolonged exposure to smoke can irritate the throat, eyes, and lungs. The OP's mention of ash settling into their yard indicates a significant concentration of particulate matter, not just a faint smell of smoke, making the concern even more serious.

There's also the immediate fire risk. Dry leaves, fencing, decking, and other flammable materials can ignite if sparks or embers drift. 

Many jurisdictions have strict regulations — or outright bans — on open burning because uncontrolled flames can spread quickly, especially during dry weather. In some regions, improper burning contributes to hundreds of preventable wildfires each year.

Do you ever worry about the air quality in your home? All the time 😳 Often 🤔 Very rarely 🤷 Not at all 😬 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

On top of the safety and environmental concerns, navigating disputes with neighbors can be emotionally draining. Not everyone shares the same values around sustainability or community responsibility, and attempting to compromise with someone who doesn't recognize the harm or urgency can feel futile. 

In cases like this, outside intervention through fire departments or councils may be the only realistic path forward.

Some Redditors continued to give advice.

"If you live close enough to the fire department, go directly there and tell them you want to report it anonymously," one advised.

💰Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.