Think twice about burning that hurricane debris

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Some Tampa Bay-area residents said their neighbors are burning their hurricane debris, and sending fumes into their houses through open windows because they don’t have power.

As a drier season approaches, the shrub on the sides of the road can easily spread if burned, and become a danger in neighborhoods if people aren’t careful.

“I came out because I smelled smoke,” Molly Toth said.

She said on Saturday, one of her neighbors was burning debris, and the smoke filled her home in St. Petersburg.

She wasn’t exactly sure what her neighbor was burning.

“Whatever it was, it smelled really bad, so if the sewage saturated debris, you’re burning it — it’s toxic,” Toth said.

Toth called 911, worried others may start doing the same.

St. Petersburg Fire Rescue put out notices on social media reminding residents that open burning of debris, construction materials, yard waste, or garbage is strictly prohibited.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue said they had reports of debris burning in Seffner, Brandon, and Plant City.

Todd Chlanda with the Florida Forest Service said yard debris burning is allowed in Polk County, under certain measures. He said Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties don’t allow open yard burning for any reason.

“People in those counties aren’t used to having the burning available and so that’s the reason why they don’t allow yard debris burning because of the sheer population,” Chlanda said. “It doesn’t take a long time for all that debris to dry out and become dangerous and if it’s not monitored, it could get out of hand and create a wildfire.”

He said it’s safer to let the county and city agencies pick up the debris. Though many people have complained about wanting to get the debris removed faster.

Toth is asking people everywhere to be patient.

“You have to think about your neighbors,” Toth said. “You can’t just think about your yard. Everybody has the same situation.”

Hillsborough County hired extra outside contractors to help clear storm debris. Starting Wednesday, they ask for the leaves and small twigs to be put in bags or containers for collection as part of weekly residential curbside yard waste collection.

They said the storm debris contractors are only targeting loose yard waste and large piles of tree debris.

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