Backyard fire pit sales surge across Australia, sparking health, environment concerns

More families are turning to backyard fires to keep warm and entertained over winter, according to market research, but it is prompting health and environmental concerns among professionals. 

A Polaris Market Research report published in February 2023 showed the global fire pits market was valued at $US6.81 billion ($10 billion) in 2022 and was expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 6.3 per cent until 2032.

Much of the growth was spurred by COVID-19 lockdowns as people evolved their backyard spaces, while urbanised areas had also expanded.

The rise in popularity had prompted warnings from a leading burns surgeon at Melbourne's The Alfred hospital, which in the past 12 months handled 41 cases of backyard fire-related injuries — 10 per cent of which were severe burns.

"These injuries can be significant and catastrophic, resulting in multiple surgical procedures and multiple months in hospital and rehabilitation," burns surgeon Dr Dane Holden said.

"There is the likelihood of permanent long-term scarring."

Alcohol and drug intake had been significant contributors to the injuries, while the low height of fire pits increased the risk of injuries from trips and falls into flames and hot coals.

"Being aware of the dangers of fire pits is paramount," Dr Holden said.

"All fire pits should be used with adequate guarding around the perimeter to prevent falling directly into the fire pit as well as to ensure people are unable to stand close enough to allow sparks to ignite clothing."

Kids 'love the adventure'

The backyard fire trend is being hotly felt at the Albury-based nursery, Peards, which ordered an entire shipping container of fire pits when the pandemic hit and families began investing in more home-based activities.

"There's a lot of people with families and children wanting to get outside once a week, even though it's cold," manager George Benyon said.

"Kids love the adventure with the marshmallows."

The cost of a backyard fire for entertainment is also appealing to families amid a cost-of-living crisis.

Mr Benyon said high-quality pits lasted up to 20 years and it only took a few logs to keep a small fire blazing to entertain and warm the family for a few hours.

"It's not a dear exercise," he said.

'No safe limits' for wood smoke

Increased smoke in the atmosphere through recreational fires had also flared concerns about the negative impacts on health and the environment.

"It will be a concern, it will be a worry, if the use of fire pits becomes much more widespread," University of New South Wales School of Population Health Conjoint Professor Bin Jalaludin said.

"In Sydney, on a winter's evening, about 50 per cent of the fine particle air pollution is from wood heaters.

He said that could lead to health impacts, like irritable eyes, coughs, impacts on the cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory systems, and birth outcomes.

"What we do know from various studies conducted, both in Australia and overseas, there are essentially no safe limits," Professor Jalaludin said.

"Although we have national guidelines or national standards on air quality, we find there are health effects below those guidelines or below those standards."

It is recommended that people use dry, seasoned wood in fire pits to reduce smoke.

Fire pits are subject to fire restrictions and regulations, as well as local council laws, but are generally allowed in most backyards across Australia.