Alternatively, you're probably better off taking some beers over to his house and having a civil conversation. Who knows, you may even make a new friend who'll keep an eye on your stuff when you're out of town.
In fact, go over there with a few beers and dont even talk about the fire pit. In the end, it's trivial. Exersize tolerance. You could become good friends. It's not unlike paying it forward. I'll bet that you'll be rewarded in spades. Maybe end up sitting around the fire pit, upwind, laughing and drinking beers.
I try to keep my yard fires small and unnoticed.
