East Cambridgeshire District Council has cracked down on extinguishing illegal fires across Ely and surrounding areas.
In 2022, there were 36 illegal fires across East Cambridgeshire. However, in 2023, that number dropped to 15.
That means that the number of illegal fires across Ely and the rest of the area has fallen by 58 per cent.
It is illegal to burn waste under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
East Cambridgeshire District Council have used this Act, as well as the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, to issue 14 statutory warnings to those lighting illegal fires since 2022.
Anyone responsible for lighting illegal fires and burning waste can face unlimited fines.
Recommended Reading: East Cambs fly-tipping at lowest level for seven years
The council's focus on getting rid of illegal fires is part of its commitment to improving the environment in Ely and the rest of the area.
Simon Cross, Environmental Services Officer at the council, said: “Now more than ever before how we treat our environment is incredibly important for our future and how we dispose of waste is of paramount importance to our lives and to those in our community."
The illegal fires crack down comes following the news that East Cambridgeshire District Council have worked on eradicating fly-tipping across the area too.
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