It's generally accepted that CO2 emitted from short-term biological repositories as part of the natural carbon cycle is not as much of a problem as CO2 emitted from fossil fuel sources that have been isolated from the cycle for millions of years.

This would include plants or any other mechanism that draws CO2 and energy directly from the environment for later release.

Which means, of course, that things like natural fires--or beach bonfires come to that--would not be a contributor to any cumulative problem.

This is one basis for supporting biofuels of any kind. That, and not having to import oil from crazy people.