GRRRR Neighbors.....
 

I need to vent and get ya'lls opinion and help on something.

I have new neighbors behind me and they spend ALOT of time in their yard. Every Friday and Satuday night they have a huge bonfire. OKay its not a bonfire but it sure scares me. They do this fire in a firepit that is above the ground under a tree and over grass. Its not one of those fire pits on a cement patio surround by rocks- its in the middle of thier backyard and probobly about 25 from my house and doesnt not seem at all safe to me. I have a bunch of trees in my backyard and wood paneling around my house and my backyard is extremely dry so Im super afraid if thier fire is ever out of control my hosue will go up in flames in 2 seconds. Thier elevated fire pit(not really sure what to call it) is about the size of a regular grill but thier fires end up so big and the flames are so tall I can see it over the fence and it looks as though the base of the fire is about 6 feet wide although I know it really isnt, its probobly at least 3 feet wide though and the flames are probobly 6 feet high. My work room faces their yard so of course if the fire ever spread it would be the first thing to go which would be absolutely devestating and I dont know how I would ever recover my losses.
I also think my neighbors are drinking when they do these fires as Ive peaked through the fence and seen some bottles. So needless to say I am extremely uneasy about their constant bonfires they have on the weekend. SHould I call the city and have them check it out to make sure they are following all proper regulations? I mean for the love of pete their fire pit is under a tree- how stupid is that?:thumbdown
How do I call the city without the neighbors knowing it is me?

I'm with you, that would scare me. (Are you sure you don't live on the other side of MY neighbors?) I would hate to think that I might be gone on a Fri or Sat night when they're partying.

Does your city have a fire ordinance? Some cities don't allow open flames inside the city limits.

Call 911 and say you think your neighbor's backyard is on fire the next time they have a bonfire... :rolleyes: :D

I would definitely call the city and have them check it out and make sure they are complying to regulations. Especially being in Texas, the ground can get so dry here. Not safe. I'm not sure how to go about making sure they know it isn't you, but maybe when you call the city you can ask about being anonymous

I would definitely call. The fire dept. can come out to see whether they're following regulations or not.

hehe...that's probably what i would do LOL

We have such dry spells & droughts (although I dont think we are in one right now) that Im sure there is city ordinances which is why Im pretty sure I could call and have this stopped, I just dont want them to know its me.

Thats what Im thinking about doing and thats what I almost did when they first had thier bonfire because I totally thought thier backyard was on fire!

just tell whomever you call that you want to stay anonymous. i'm sure they will not mind keeping it hush hush.

I called the cops on my neighbors once (are you SURE we don't live on the same street!!??) and when the cop asked for my name I asked if I had to give it. He said "No, I don't know why they make us ask." Use your cell phone, and if they insist, just say you're calling for your elderly mother that lives on that street. :D

Geez you made me even more nervous, lol. I didnt even thinkign about a spark flying out of the fire pit when they decide to go in for the night- thats even more scary to think about.

Another thing you can do Shanna is to take a picture or video and email it to the fire department.

Probably don't want to do the 911 - but you definitely should call their dispatch number and report it next time they have the "Fire Party" so the fire dept can catch them in the act.

Good luck - That's just tooo dangerous and scary

i love this idea:thumbup:

They don't have to know it was you who called, for all they know a fireman was in the area. My Mom is in TX and they caught their field on fire ( the grandkids ) w/fire works and they were NOT in a dry spell when that happen.

Good Luck!
Angie

I would call the Fire Marshall. At least around here they are more than happy to do inspections. If you call the police they will most likely call the fire marshall anyway.

Call your local authorities .. let them handle it. YT cannot do much for you ....

I'd call the city and let them know about it. The people will probably be able to figure out who it was that called, but they won't know for SURE unless you tell them. I mean, it COULD be one of their other neighbors (providing there ARE other neighbors), right? Something similar happened to us when we were first moving in here (not fire related, but flooding related) and had the backyard landscaped and a patio put in. I got a visit from a city employee saying that someone had voiced concerns over the areas along the walls separating the properties being landscaped.....because there are drainage holes and I guess they thought they were being covered over). I don't know for a FACT who it was, but I can pretty much figure who would have been the most likely....it was a little annoying, (and would have been much more so if the landscapers had had to rip out all the palm trees and other foliage along the walls, but they didn't), but at the same time, I could understand that they were perfectly legit being concerned for their property if there were a flood, so I couldn't be too insulted by it. Your neighbors should be glad that someone is responsible enough in your neighborhood to care. Good luck. But call, lol!

I am sooo glad I don't live close to people.....people worry me! ha,ha! :teeth:

I like the idea of calling from your cell and if they ask, say you are just driving through and noticed it or calling for someone else...there is no need for them to know your name......but it does need to be checked out!

Course, who is to say that the new neighbors won't suspect their neighbors though.....I don't know?! In situations like these...I am really thankful to NOT have neighbors!

Well I live in WV and the state goverment just past a law banning any outdoor burning for the season. This was done because of the dry conditions here and everywhere in the states. Maybe texas has done the same, I know you hate to get the law involved when it comes to neighbors. But this is also a saftey issue. I think if this was happening that close to me I would, at the least, have water hoses spread out and ready to go if I was going to allow them to do it. But then again I hate my neighbors and would just call the law. Mine have 35 dauschaund's fenced in a little 12ft x 10ft area. And they bark all the time. I have to wear earplugs to bed. Being that I do not live in city limits there is no noise ordinance and nothing the law can do. But to me this should be considered animal abuse. So I have no problem picking fights with them after they called the law on me for shooting my guns in the back yard. Get this they said it was disturbing thier peace and they was'nt goining to put up with it. They do nothing all day long, but beat and yell at the dogs. Neither work a job, I guess its a good life being on the states welfare retirment plan. Guess I got a little off the topic here but when I get started on neighbors I cant stop.