How do I keep hedgehogs safe from a bonfire?
Build it on the day you burn it. Hedgehog Street says “Bonfires should only be built on the day of burning.” If a pile has been standing, move it and rebuild it on the day, which discourages any hedgehogs that have moved in, and check it for nesting hedgehogs before you light it.
Why bonfire piles are a risk
Hedgehog Street’s garden hazards page says piles of wood or brush attract hedgehogs looking for a place to nest or hibernate. Autumn bonfires fall in the months when hedgehogs are getting ready to hibernate.
What Hedgehog Street says to do
- Build the bonfire on the day of burning.
- If that is not possible, move the pile and rebuild it on the day.
- Check piles for nesting hedgehogs before burning.
- Large or commercial bonfires should have a hedgehog-proof fence around them until lighting.
If you find a hedgehog
Do not leave it in the pile. If it seems unwell or injured, follow the steps for a hedgehog that needs help, and call the British Hedgehog Preservation Society on 01584 890 801.
A better use for the brash
Prunings do not have to be burned. The RSPB’s page on natural food for birds says log and stick piles, or a “dead hedge” made from prunings, give cover and feeding spots. See leaf litter, log piles and compost.
Sources
- Hedgehog Street: Bonfire night safety, opened 14 November 2026.
- Hedgehog Street: Garden hazards, opened 14 November 2026.
- Hedgehog Street: Sick or injured hedgehog, opened 14 November 2026.
- RSPB: Natural food for birds, opened 14 November 2026.