There are so many pros and cons as with everything, e.g. some countries rely on our travels to support their tourist industry, or the export to us of crops such as bananas to support their farmers.
On balance I think an occasional bonfire at the right time of day, and using material as dry as possible to reduce smoke, produces useful ash - and a warm glow for the family to enjoy. We have an old water tank with cover, to keep everything as dry as possible, and no hedgehogs can get in.
