Campaigners say figures reveal a lack of enforcement with just 24 fines issued by councils for rule violations
Only one prosecution for illegal wood burning has been made in the past year despite 15,195 complaints across England, data shows.
Additionally, just 24 fines were issued by local authorities between September 2024 and August 2025, responses to freedom of information requests by the campaign group Mums for Lungs revealed.
In smoke control areas alone, 9,274 complaints were made – a 65% increase on the previous year. In these areas, households may burn wood or other fuels only in stoves approved by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) that have been designed to limit harmful emissions.
Under the Environment Act 2021, fines can be issued for violating rules, including £300 for smoke-emitting chimneys, or £1,000 for using unauthorised fuel in unapproved appliances.
