Bonfires are part and parcel of the annual Twelfth celebrations in Northern Ireland, however, various attempts have been made over the years to make these pyres less harmful to the environment and less likely to damage homes and property.
Responsible community leaders have made efforts to make the Eleventh Night more family-friendly and non-threatening while discouraging offensive, racist or sectarian displays.
It is clearly in the best interests of the wider community for bonfires to be managed in a way that ensures they are safe and puts the least amount of strain on the fire service and the public purse.
Unfortunately, it seems that these well-meaning efforts are having mixed results, to say the least.
Last year a towering structure caused deep concern at Chobham Street in Belfast, with many residents forced to leave their homes amid very real fears for their safety.
A significant operation took place to board up and protect houses while on the night a large number of firefighters were in place to tackle the huge blaze.
Many people watched this scenario unfold with a feeling of disbelief but there were hopes that common sense would prevail and indeed, since then a new playground has been built on the site of the bonfire so that should have been the matter resolved.
However, it now appears there will be another bonfire this year and the play equipment has been removed to prevent damage.
This is a worrying development which will cause widespread exasperation, including among elected representatives who have expressed dismay at the turn of events.
It is also disturbing that a sign saying `Foreigners Out' was given a prominent place at the bonfire, thankfully later removed.
Such racist sentiments are abhorrent to the vast majority of people living in Northern Ireland and shows the ignorance of those behind this display.
If they studied their history they would know that King William of Orange, whose victory in 1690 they are celebrating, was a `foreigner'.
It is also disappointing to hear there has been a sharp decrease in the number of loyalists signing up to the council managed bonfire scheme in Belfast.
This initiative offered grants for family fun days and was seen as a success with bonfires being moved away from interfaces and a reduction in tyres, flags, effigies and symbols being burned.
It is believed the fall in applications this year is due to disenchantment in loyalist communities with the terms of the scheme.
This is regrettable but it is important work goes on to reduce the issues and tensions that surround bonfires at this time of year.
